CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: TUES. AUG. 31, 2010

CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: TUES. AUG. 31, 2010: HEADLINES-
VATICAN: POPE RECEIVES ARCHBISHOP KOCH AND SPEAKS OF HUMILITY-

VATICAN: SPONSORED CONGRESS OPENS IN SEOUL KOREA-

AFRICA: SENEGAL: BISHOP COLY OF ZIGUINCHOR DIES AGE 61-
AMERICA: USA: NUNS HOST SURFING CONTEST TO RAISE FUNDS-

ASIA: PHILIPPINES: 3 WOUNDED WHEN GRENADES THROWN AT CHURCH-

AUSTRALIA: DEATH OF BISHOP DOUGHERTY AGE 78-

EUROPE: SCOTLAND: ST. NINIAN'S PARADE TO WELCOME POPE-



VATICAN: POPE RECEIVES ARCHBISHOP KOCH AND SPEAKS OF HUMILITY

RADIO VATICANA REPORT: On Monday Pope Benedict received in audience Archbishop Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, who participated the traditional summer meeting of the Pope’s former students, the so-called Ratzinger Schülerkreis. The meeting ended Sunday with a Mass presided by the Pope at Castel Gandolfo Mariapolis Center: the theme of the seminar, which began last Friday, was that of the interpretation of Vatican II. The homily was delivered by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, archbishop of Vienna, also a former student of Professor. Ratzinger.
At the end of the Mass, the Pope greeted the participants at the seminar, referring to the Sunday Gospel, with Jesus' exhortation to humility and love:
"Liebe Freunde, am Ende des heutigen Evangeliums ...
Dear friends, in today's Gospel, the Lord points out that in fact we continue to live like pagans inviting only those who can reciprocate the invitation, we give only to those who can return the favour in kind. But God’s style is different: we experience this in the Holy Eucharist. He invites us to his table, we who before him are lame, blind and deaf, he invites us, we have nothing to give Him”.

Especially during the Mass - continued the Pope - we are called to allow ourselves to be touched with gratitude for the fact that although we have nothing to give to God and, indeed, we are full of sins, He invites us to his table and wants to be at the table with us:

"Aber wir wollen doch auch uns davon lassen berühren ...
But we also want to learn to feel guilty because we emerge so little from the pagan style, because we live so little the novelty, the style of God. And this is why we begin the Holy Mass asking for forgiveness, a forgiveness that changes us, that makes us more like God, in His image and likeness".
In his homily, Cardinal Schönborn returned to the theme of humility, remembering that Jesus entrusted the Kingdom of the Father to the Apostles, but so that this great vocation does not make them arrogant he has placed them, especially the first of the Apostles, in the last place. He then went on to explain what is the attitude of Christians before humiliation and insults: though despised, they give blessings...
Die Demut wendet diese Beschimpfungen in Segen. ... Humility transforms insults into grace! Thank you, Holy Father, because you embody for us the attitude of Christ who is meek and humble of heart. Is this not a wonderful thing in the Christian faith and Christian experience? Joy over the fact that the parameters of Heaven are so different from ours”.
Forty priests, professors, religious and laity, all former students of Pope Benedict, participated in the summer school which was first held for former students when Joseph Ratzinger became Archbishop of Munich and Freising in 1977. This year's meeting, ran from Aug. 27-30.
Pope Benedict chose the theme of the four-day seminar as well as the main speaker, Archbishop Kurt Koch, who was recently appointed to replace Cardinal Walter Kasper as president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
Archbishop Koch's intervention examined "The Second Vatican Council between tradition and innovation" and "Sacrosanctum concilium and the post-Conciliar reform of the liturgy."
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=419039
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/vatican-pope-receives-archbishop-koch.html


VATICAN: SPONSORED CONGRESS OPENS IN SEOUL KOREA

RADIO VATICANA REPORT: A Vatican sponsored Congress for Laity in Asia opens Wednesday in Seoul Korea.
According to the Pontifical Council for the Laity, organiser of the 5 day event along with the Bishops of Korea, “the decision to focus on Asia expresses a missionary concern for a continent that, while rich in ancient traditions, culture and religions, is now emerging as a key player in an age of immense transformation”.

Above all, this choice manifests the Church’s pastoral attention for Asian lay Catholics who are called to witness to Jesus Christ in communion with their pastors, and to proclaim the Gospel of Christ as a universal gift of salvation.

This Congress is being organized in collaboration with the Lay Commission of the Korean Catholic Bishops Conference and national councils for the laity. Participants at this event will consist of the official delegations Salmost all headed by a bishopS from twenty of the Asian countries that form part of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC) together with representatives from the FABC. There will also be thirty-five delegations representing lay associations, ecclesial movements and new communities that are recognized by the Holy See and have a significant presence in Asia. All together, congress participants will total some four hundred people.

The two opening conferences, “Two thousand years of the Church’s mission in Asia: waves of evangelization, holiness and martyrdom” and “Jesus Christ, a gift for Asia: prerequisites, tasks and challenges of evangelizing today”, will serve to set the general framework of the Congress. The entire afternoon session of the first day will offer the national delegates the opportunity to share the pastoral concerns of their respective countries and the different initiatives that they are undertaking. The second day will open with a conference on “The vocation and mission of the lay faithful in the light of the post-synodal apostolic exhortation, Christifideles laici” and, after some remarks from the floor, will be followed by a talk on “Christian formation and lay missionary efforts in Asia”. A subsequent panel discussion will touch on various themes pertinent to Asia: Christian initiation and the ongoing formation of the laity; the Christian witness of the laity in different sectors of society; testimonies of Christian charity at the service of the poor; the work of ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue; lay efforts in favor of the inculturation of the Gospel. The following day’s conferences and discussion will revolve around the theme of religious freedom which is of crucial importance in Asia. There will also be ample time for deepening reflection on some specific areas and priorities within the work of evangelization: the renewal of the parish; the pastoral care of the family; the identity and mission of Catholic schools; the role of women in the Church and in society; the participation of Catholic laity in politics and in the workplace.
Lastly, after a conference on “The new season for associations of lay faithful”, ecclesial movements and new communities will share experiences regarding their evangelization efforts in Asia. The work of the Congress will draw to a close the following day with a conference on the active role that the laity are called to exercise within the mission of the Church as “witnesses of hope for the good of the people of Asia” and this will be followed by some final concluding remarks. The program will be further enriched by an exhibition on the Jesuit missionary to Asia, Matteo Ricci, including the viewing of a documentary film about his life.
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=419027
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/vatican-sponsored-congress-opens-in.html

AFRICA: SENEGAL: BISHOP COLY OF ZIGUINCHOR DIES AGE 61

Agenzia Fides REPORT – Fr. Bruno Favero, OMI, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Senegal and Mauritania sent Fides his testimony on Bishop Maixent Coly, Bishop of Ziguinchor (capital of Casamance, Senegal), who died August 24 at the age of 61, after a long illness. The funeral of Bishop Coly will be held on September 1 in the Cathedral of St. Anthony of Padua in Ziguinchor.
Casamance has been troubled since 1982 by a civil war led by the “Mouvement des forces democratiques de Casamance” (MFDC), a guerrilla group founded by a Catholic priest, Father Augustin Diamacoune Senghor, who died in 2007 (see Fides 15/1/2007).
Fr. Favero writes: "The last time I saw Bishop Coly was July 3 in Ziguinchor, after the priestly ordination of six new priests, both religious and diocesan, from the Diocese. He was tired, of course, but happy. On that occasion, he invited me to join him in the bishops' residence to continue the celebration along with other priests, but I apologized saying that I couldn't go but that I would visit him the following week, the next day he had another vascular failure. This time it was fatal.
Our friendship began ten years ago, in 1999, when after many negotiations he welcomed two of us Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate into his diocese, to take care of the Temento Mission on the border with Guinea Bissau and the Diocesan Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Peace. Ironically, a few months later, with the creation of the Diocese of Kolda, the new foundation was part of the new ecclesiastical district. This did not change our relationship at all. On the contrary, with the creation of the interdiocesan pilgrimage, the Shrine became a place for the annual meeting of the two dioceses and their bishops. Unfortunately, in the summer of 2000 a first heart attack seriously affected the health of the Bishop, although it did not diminish his pastoral and missionary zeal.
What was striking about Bishop Coly was undoubtedly the simplicity and immediacy in the relationship. He was open, friendly, accommodating to everyone at the same time - prominent figures and ordinary faithful - paying equal attention to each person. Even during the period of the disease that made it hard for him to travel, he continued to visit the parishes, to personally deal with many situations where there was need of his intervention, writing and speaking on the particular situation that the region of Casamance was living, and playing a unique role in the area of peace and reconciliation.
Bishop Coly's commitment to peace in Casamance can be divided into two phases. The first lasted until the death of the founder of the MFDC, who was a Catholic priest. Bishop Coly made a special effort with this brother to try to get him back on the "right path" and convince him to take the road of peace. The second phase was initiated after the death of Fr. Diamacoune, when the movement he founded was divided into different factions. Dialogue with all these groups became more difficult, but Bishop Coly always tried to open a path for dialogue and negotiation with all of them.
His bluntness and at times vehemence, were always tempered by a great capacity to review his position and to ask for pardon when necessary. The years of illness coincided with a very favorable missionary expansion, with the creation of new parishes and foundations, the opening of the Catholic University (ICAO), the launch of the pastoral plan, and many other diocesan initiatives aimed at reviving pastoral ministry.
Many had proposed that he abandon the leadership of the diocese, but certainly his desire was to serve until the end, until the last moment, because this was his idea of a bishop who must give his life for his people.
Certainly, a void remains in all our hearts with the passing of a pastor who knew how to live suffering with strength and serenity, along with the sense of giving one's life until the end."
http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=27302&lan=eng
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/africa-senegal-bishop-coly-of.html


AMERICA: USA: NUNS HOST SURFING CONTEST TO RAISE FUNDS

Cath News report: American nuns are to host a Nun's Beach Surf Invitational in New Jersey, to raise funds for the maintenance of their mother house.

Sister James Dolores, 73, from the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, says: "I'm really getting the hang of this. No one ever thought they'd see me on a board."
Pictured in the New York Post posing on a surfboard on the beach, the nun has a special relationship with local surfers, said the report. It was forged more than 60 years ago when local surfers approached the nuns' beach-front retreat asking if they could ride its waves.

The nuns warmly greeted the beach bums, and the swath of surf was soon dubbed "Nun's Beach." The sisters often sit on the beach and even draw spiritual inspiration watching the wave-riders.

"It's very peaceful," said Sister James, the retreat's property manager. "You see how the water holds them up, balances them and if you ride with the water, it will get you where you want to go. That's how it is with the grace of God."
Bill Deger, now 64, and his surfing buddies once coaxed an 83-year-old nun onto a surfboard.
"One of her life's dreams was to be able to surf," Deger, 64, said of the late Sister Loyola. "So we got her out in knee-deep water and held her on. She loved it. It was an incredible experience."
But in 1996, a small group of surfers led by Larry Gehrke and Deger decided it was time to give back to the nuns - by running a contest to help fund the retreat's upkeep.
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=23067

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ASIA: PHILIPPINES: 3 WOUNDED WHEN GRENADES THROWN AT CHURCH

Asia News report: The attack took place yesterday morning during Sunday Mass. The identity of the attackers is still unknown. Police believe the incident is linked to the death of a young Muslim male, who was recently hit in Lanao del Norte by a bus driven by a Christian. The bishop of Malaybalay urges Catholics to pray and not give in to isolated provocations.

Manila (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Three people were wounded yesterday morning in an attack against the San Vicente Ferrer Catholic Church in Kalilangan in the diocese of Malaybalay (Bukidnon District, Mindanao). At present, it is not known who carried out the attack and why.

Two young people on a motorcycle threw two grenades into the church parvis during the Sunday service; only one exploded, wounding three worshippers, and causing panic inside the building.

Despite the attack, Fr Art Pariso, San Vicente’s parish priest, concluded the Mass in the parvis.

Police believe the attack to be connected with the death of a young Muslim male, who was hit by a bus owned by the Rural Transit of Mindanao (RTMI) company. A Christian was driving the vehicle at the time of the incident. Police do not exclude an indirect vendetta. The parents of the victim were involved in attacks against two RTMI buses last Thursday that left four people dead.

To avoid tensions between the Christian and Muslim communities, Mgr Jose Araneta Cabantan, bishop of Malaybalay, called on Catholics to remain calm.

“I call on all the faithful in Bukidnon, especially those in the parish of Kalilangan to pray and stay calm,” the bishop said in a press release.

Mgr Cabantan also urged the faithful not to give in to these isolated incidents that can only create tensions between Christians and Muslims in the region of Mindanao, where a 40-year war has been raging between the Filipino army and Muslim rebels.

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Mindanao:-grenades-thrown-at-a-Catholic-church,-three-people-wounded-19316.html
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/asia-philippines-3-wounded-when.html


AUSTRALIA: DEATH OF BISHOP DOUGHERTY AGE 78

Cath News report: Emeritus Bishop of Bathurst Patrick Dougherty, who led the diocese from 1983 to 2008, died last night from lung cancer. He was 78.

Bishop Michael McKenna of Bathurst said in a media release that his predecessor had "died peacefully, surrounded with love and prayer. In his illness, he has shown the faith, acceptance and respect for others that you would expect from the true Christian and devoted priest and bishop that he was."

Patrick Dougherty was born in Kensington, NSW on November 21, 1931, the second of four sons born to Madge and William Dougherty. He was ordained priest in Rome in 1954 and completed his doctoral studies there in 1957. He was Assistant Priest at St Mel's, Campsie for one year and returned to Rome to research the life of Mary Potter, founder of the Little Company of Mary.

He spent the next decade working in the formation of priests, first at St Columba's College, Springwood, then at Propaganda Fide College, Rome.

In 1963 Patrick Dougherty's book, Mother Mary Potter, Foundress of the Little Company of Mary, was published.

In 1970 he again returned to Australia, having been appointed to the newly established Secretariat of the Australian Episcopal Conference in Canberra. He was ordained a Bishop in 1976 and from then until 1983 served as Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn and the Secretary of the Australian Episcopal Conference.
He was appointed Bishop of Bathurst in 1983.
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=23064
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/australia-death-of-bishop-dougherty-age.html


EUROPE: SCOTLAND: ST. NINIAN'S PARADE TO WELCOME POPE

Independent Catholic News REPORT: Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien today launched the St Ninian's Day Parade - a 'grand Scottish spectacle' to welcome Pope Benedict XVI to this country next month while also raising money for good causes at home and abroad. At the launch, the Cardinal was joined by the Minister for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop MSP.

The Holy Father arrives in Edinburgh on the morning of 16 September - St Ninian's Day - where he will meet Her Majesty The Queen at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. As many as a billion people worldwide are expected to watch the event on television. To mark the occasion, Cardinal O'Brien has invited over a thousand pipers, hundreds of school children, dozens of historical characters plus two nominated charities to greet the Pope and entertain the crowds who'll gather in the capital that morning.

• The pipers will be drawn from bands from Scotland and further afield with particular emphasis on school and youth pipe bands. They'll lead the parade from Regent Road to Princes Street where they will play 'Highland Cathedral' as the Pope himself travels past in the Popemobile.

• The school children are the parade VIPs - they're invited form all 14 schools across the country named after St Ninian. That includes Catholic, Episcopalian and non-denominational schools.

• The historical characters will chart the history of Christianity in Scotland since the days of St Ninian himself 1600 years ago. Characters will include St Columba, St Margaret, Mary Queen of Scots, John Knox and, from more recent times, Eric Liddell, George Mackay Brown and Muriel Spark.

• The nominated charities that will benefit from fundraising at the parade are Marie Curie Cancer Care and Mary's Meals. Marie Curie has two hospices in Scotland – Glasgow and Edinburgh. It also has a network of nurses working in communities across Scotland. Mary's Meals sets up and runs school feeding projects in communities where poverty and hunger prevent children from gaining an education. It currently provides daily meals for 400,000 children in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The St Ninian's Day Parade will begin at 11am from Regent Road and will march along Princes Street concluding at 12.30pm with the arrival of the Holy Father himself in the Popemobile. The event is free and spectators are advised to arrive in plenty of time.

Cardinal O’Brien said: “In centuries gone by St Ninian’s Day was always a great occasion for national celebration and charitable giving. We’ve now got a fabulous chance to resurrect that noble Scottish tradition by raising money for two wonderful charities.”

Fiona Hyslop MSP, Minister for Culture and External Affairs, added: "The St Ninian's Day parade will be a wonderful occasion as crowds gather in the streets of Edinburgh to extend the world-renowned warm Scottish welcome to the Holy Father. This is a great opportunity for all of Scotland to celebrate the positive contribution all our faith communities make to the life of our nation." Head teacher of St Ninian’s Primary School in Stirling, Elaine Wyllie, said: "The Pope's visit is of international importance. Our school is honoured to be taking part in the St Ninians Day parade and being amongst the first people to welcome him to Scotland. As a result of being invited to take part in the parade, we are currently working on a joint project with our local Catholic school, St. Mary's Bannockburn, to find out more about the life and times of St Ninian."
The founder and Chief Executive of Mary’s Meals, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, said: “The St Ninian's Day Parade promises to be a wonderful event, bringing together people from across Scotland to welcome the Pope. Mary's Meals is thrilled to have been chosen as one of the charities to benefit from the celebration and our staff and volunteers are looking forward to being involved on the day. Any monies raised by Mary's Meals will help provide school meals for hungry children in some of the world's poorest countries, enabling them to access education that will help them to escape poverty in the long term.”
For more information see: http://www.stniniansday.co.uk/
http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=16631
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/europe-scotland-st-ninians-parade-to.html


TODAY' S SAINT: ST. RAYMOND NONNATUS: DIED 1240

St. Raymond Nonnatus
CARDINAL AND MERCEDARIAN
Feast: August 31
Information: Feast Day: August 31

Born: 1204, La Portella, Comarca of Segrià, Catalonia, Kingdom of Aragon

Died: August 31, 1240, Cardona, Province of Barcelona, Catalonia, Kingdom of Aragon

Canonized: 1657, Rome by Pope Alexander VII

Patron of: Childbirth; children; expectant mothers; falsely accused people; fever; infants; midwives; newborn babies; obstetricians; pregnant women

Born 1200 or 1204 at Portello in the Diocese of Urgel in Catalonia; died at Cardona, 31 August, 1240. His feast is celebrated on 31 August. He is pictured in the habit of his order surrounded by ransomed slaves, with a padlock on his lips. He was taken from the womb of his mother after her death, hence his name. Of noble but poor family, he showed early traits of piety and great talent. His father ordered him to tend a farm, but later gave him permission to take the habit with the Mercedarians at Barcelona, at the hands of the founder, St. Peter Nolasco. Raymond made such progress in the religious life that he was soon considered worthy to succeed his master in the office of ransomer. He was sent to Algiers and liberated many captives. When money failed he gave himself as a hostage. He was zealous in teaching the Christian religion and made many converts, which embittered the Mohammedan authorities. Raymond was subjected to all kinds of indignities and cruelty, was made to run the gauntlet, and was at last sentenced to impalement. The hope of a greater sum of money as ransom caused the governor to commute the sentence into imprisonment. To prevent him from preaching for Christ, his lips were pierced with a red-hot iron and closed with a padlock. After his arrival in Spain, in 1239, he was made a cardinal by Gregory IX. In the next year he was called to Rome by the pope, but came only as far as Cardona, about six miles from Barcelona, where he died. His body was brought to the chapel of St. Nicholas near his old farm. In 1657 his name was placed in the Roman martyrology by Alexander VII. He is invoked by women in labour and by persons falsely accused. The appendix to the Roman ritual gives a formula for the blessing of water, in his honour, to be used by the sick, and another of candles.
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/today-s-saint-st-raymond-nonnatus-died.html


TODAY'S GOSPEL: AUG. 31: Luke 4: 31 - 37


Luke 4: 31 - 37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31 And he went down to Caper'na-um, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the sabbath;
32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority.
33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice,
34 "Ah! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God."
35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm.
36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out."
37 And reports of him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/todays-gospel-aug-31-luke-4-31-37.html

CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: MON. AUG. 30, 2010

CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: MON. AUG. 30, 2010: HEADLINES-
VATICAN: POPE: RECEIVES MONS. KURT KOCH CHRISTIAN UNITY COUNCIL-

SOUTH PACIFIC: INDONESIA: 30,000 DISPLACED BY VOLCANIC ERUPTION-
CHINA: AFTER 30 YEAR EMPRISONMENT- UNDERGROUND BISHOP SHUDAO DIES-

AMERICA: USA: FR. EUTENEUER RESIGNS FROM HLI RETURNS TO PARISH MINISTRY-
EUROPE: ENGLAND: CARDINAL NEWMAN'S FEAST TO BE OCTOBER 9-

AFRICA: GUINEA BISSAU: COURSE FOR NEW MISSIONARIES AND PRIEST ORDAINED-
AUSTRALIA: BISHOP INGHAM CALLS FOR OPENESS TO REFUGEES-



VATICAN: POPE: RECEIVES MONS. KURT KOCH CHRISTIAN UNITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

AUDIENCE
Pope Benedict XVI received in audience:
Mons. Kurt Koch, Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Basel, President of the Pontifical Council for promoting Christian Unity.
SOURCE http://press.catholica.va/news_services/bulletin/news/25952.php?index=25952&lang=en 
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/vatican-pope-receives-mons-kurt-koch.html



SOUTH PACIFIC: INDONESIA: 30,000 DISPLACED BY VOLCANIC ERUPTION IN SUMATRA

Asia News report: This morning a column of smoke and ash 2 thousand meters high. Further 8 000 people transferred from the slopes of Mount Sinabung. A man dies from breathing problems caused by airborne ash. Lava flow expected. Indonesia has over 500 active volcanoes.
More eight thousand people have fled the slopes of Mount Sinabung after a new volcanic eruption in northern Sumatra, bringing the total to at least 30 000 displaced persons.
The volcano was dormant for 400 years, but for the past two days it has continued to emit smoke and ash and many expect possible lava floods. This morning, the eruption occurred at 6.30 (local time), creating a massive column of smoke 2,000 feet high at least. At least 31 villages six kilometers from the mouth of the crater were evacuated. Mount Sinabung is located in North Sumatra province, 1300 km northwest of Jakarta.
The National Civil Protection is advising residents and displaced people to wear masks. In fact a man died from breathing problems because of the ashes scattered in the atmosphere.
Volcanologists have had to admit little knowledge of the characteristics of Sinabung Mountain, since it’s remained dormant for a long time.
Indonesia is considered the area with the highest number of active volcanoes in the world: at least 500, of which 68 are the most dangerous because they are situated in populated areas like Java and Sumatra.
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/30-thousand-displaced-by-new-eruption-in-Sumatra-19311.html
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/south-pacific-indonesia-30000-displaced.html



CHINA: AFTER 30 YEAR EMPRISONMENT- UNDERGROUND BISHOP SHUDAO DIES

UCAN REPORT: Retired Bishop John Yang Shudao of Fuzhou who spent at least 30 years in prison life because of his faith has died at the age of 91.

The late bishop who headed the underground Catholic community in Fuzhou suffered a stroke and became unconscious several days before his death on Aug. 28. He died at St. Teresa’s Church in his hometown in Liangjiang county shortly after being discharged from hospital. His funeral, to be presided by underground Bishop Peter Lin Jiashan, is scheduled for Sept. 1 at the same church which has a capacity of 3,000. Bishop Lin was a former coadjutor bishop of Fuzhou diocese but now apostolic prefect of Jianou, according to a Church source close to the Holy See.
Several Church sources told ucanews.com that many government officers came to the church on hearing of the bishop’s death. “They are concerned about security issues and have restricted the number of people paying tribute,” one said.
Fuzhou diocese currently has about 250,000 Catholics, with 81 “underground” and 27 “open” priests. The government recognizes the “open” Catholic community but not the ”underground” one.
Father Joseph Li Ronghua, coordinator of the open community, told ucanews.com that he heard of Bishop Yang’s death but has received no further information from the underground side. He and many of the ”open” priests had never met the bishop, he said.
Bishop Yang told ucanews.com in 2004 that reconciliation with the open Church would mean “a betrayal of faith.”
In addition to the spilt between the open and underground communities since 1980s, the ”underground” Catholics have in the past decade themselves split into two factions, one led by Bishops Yang and Lin and another led by Father Lin Yuntuan.Currently, “underground” Bishop Vincent Huang Zhoucheng of neighboring Mindong diocese is the administrator of Fuzhou diocese, according to a Church source close to the Holy See.
Church sources are concerned about the diocese’s future. They agreed the funeral is a testing case for reconciliation. “If factions cooperate for the funeral, there can be room for communications. Otherwise, reconciliation will be distant,” a source said.
Bishop Yang was born on April 16, 1919 and was ordained a priest in 1947. The then Father Yang was arrested with other priests and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1955 for refusing to denounce the Pope and to join the government-sanctioned independent church.
Bishop Yang was released in 1981 after 26 years in prison. He was clandestinely ordained a bishop in 1987. He was rearrested in 1988 and jailed for another three years. Since then, he has been arrested several times and was under surveillance.
http://www.ucanews.com/2010/08/30/underground-bishop-of-fuzhou-dies/
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/china-after-30-year-emprisonment.html



AMERICA: USA: FR. EUTENEUER RESIGNS FROM HLI RETURNS TO PARISH MINISTRY

Catholic Online REPORT: Will Return to Diocese to Serve in Parish

'It has been 15 years since I last had any significant time for renewal, and after traveling more than 1.1 million miles, authoring two books, visiting 58 countries and making thousands of public appearances, I am ready for a break! I intend to continue to do pro-life work wherever I may be called to serve, and my bishop agrees that this is a vital charism of my priestly life.' ( Fr. Euteneuer)

The board of directors of Human Life International (HLI) has announced that after nearly 10 years of meritorious service to HLI as president, Reverend Thomas J Euteneuer has stepped down from his position after being asked by his Bishop to return to his Diocese in West Palm Beach, Florida.

There is no doubt that when the history of the Pro-Life movement and the struggle to build a new culture of life is written, Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer, now the former President of Human Life International, will be acknowledged as one of its most articulate and courageous champions.

The news of his immediate departure from the Presidency of Human Life International comes as a real surprise. It was completely unexpected. It was accompanied by very little explanation. He will apparently return to his Diocese, West Palm Beach. However, he has no parish assignment as of the announcement. Of course, we honor Father's extraordinary work for the Church and courage over all these years. We ask our readers around the globe to pray for him and the transition at HLI.
Stephen Phelan, the Communications Manager for Human Life International, just issued the following Press Release:
HLI President to Return to Diocese
"The board of directors of Human Life International (HLI) has announced that after nearly 10 years of meritorious service to HLI as president, Reverend Thomas J Euteneuer has stepped down from his position after being asked by his Bishop to return to his Diocese in West Palm Beach, Florida.
"The board thanks Fr. Euteneuer for his leadership, hard work and dedication in carrying on the legacy of Fr. Paul Marx. During his tenure Fr. Euteneuer traveled more than one million miles as a pro-life missionary to the world. "While Fr. Euteneuer's leadership at HLI and his influence on the pro-life movement around the world will be greatly missed, we are blessed to have gifted staff who will continue to carry out our mission while a search for a new president is undertaken.
"Msgr. Ignacio Barreiro Carámbula, Executive Director of HLI's office in Rome, will assume Fr. Euteneuer's responsibilities until such time as a permanent replacement is named"
Fr. Euteneuer's acknowledgement of his immediate departure from this significant leadership came in the form of a column in HLI's Spirit & Life Newsletter. Again, there is very little explanation; simply a statement of fidelity from a good priest. We present it in full below:
*****
Dear Friends of Life, Nearly ten years ago I answered the call of the Lord to come to Human Life International and work full-time in pro-life work with the permission of my bishop. I have been utterly privileged to serve this great mission for a decade, and now I am called back to my diocese to continue my priestly service in parish work, which was the original calling of my vocation. A priest is a soldier of Christ and the Church, and obedience is the primary virtue of his state in life, but for my part, my discernment about this decision tells me that this is the right thing for me to do and at the right time. I have great peace about the road that lies ahead and about all that has been accomplished up to this point. Our international mission remains in good hands with my departure. HLI's Board of Directors has asked Msgr. Ignacio Barreiro of our Rome office to assume my responsibilities until such a time as a permanent replacement is named. Our tremendously competent staff and generous supporters are looking to the future with great hope despite the many challenges of the death peddlers on a global scale which are only increasing. There is more need of our mission now than ever! HLI's network of affiliates and associates is more than 100 countries strong, and our international leaders, so often highlighted in our publications, are literally the best in the world! Our dear founder, Fr. Paul Marx would be extremely proud of what we have accomplished in the past decade. I am sure he is smiling on us from where he is now.

I do not have a parish assignment in my diocese as of yet, but I hope to take some time out before I go back into full-time parish work. I expect that some time of rest and renewal will help me to make the transition. It has been 15 years since I last had any significant time for renewal, and after traveling more than 1.1 million miles, authoring two books, visiting 58 countries and making thousands of public appearances, I am ready for a break! I intend to continue to do pro-life work wherever I may be called to serve, and my bishop agrees that this is a vital charism of my priestly life. A true pro-lifer is not oriented to a job so much as to the daily task of fighting the culture of death and building the culture of life!

I ask for your kind prayers as I move forward and for your continued support of HLI and the new leadership that will come soon. I will not be a stranger to HLI's mission or life but I promise that I will remember each of you every day in the Eucharistic Sacrifice, the font of all unity and LIFE!

Blessings in Christ,

Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer

President, Human Life International
***** We ask our readers around the globe to pray for this heroic priest and for the vital work of Human Life International.
http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=38026
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/america-usa-fr-euteneuer-resigns-from.html


EUROPE: ENGLAND: CARDINAL NEWMAN'S FEAST TO BE OCTOBER 9

Catholic Herald report: Cardinal John Henry Newman’s feast will be celebrated on October 9, the date of his conversion in 1845, Pope Benedict XVI will declare next month.

The announcement of the feast day forms part of the Pope’s declaration of beatification, which has been published as part of the Magnificat booklet for the papal visit.
During the Mass at Cofton Park on September 19, Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham will ask the Pope formally to beatify the Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman. The vice-postular of the Cause will then read a short biography of the cardinal.

Then the Pope will say: “Acceding to the request of our Brother Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, of many other Brothers in in the episcopate, and many of the faithful, after consultation with the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, by our apostolic authority we declare that the venerable servant of God John Henry, Cardinal, Newman, priest of the Congregation of the Oratory, shall henceforth be invoked as Blessed and that his feast shall be celebrated every year of the ninth of October, in the places and according to the norms established by Church law.”
This will be the first – and possibly only – time that Benedict XVI personally pronounces the formula of beatification during his pontificate.
A portrait of the new Blessed will then be unveiled and his relics will be placed beside the altar.
The Magnificat booklet also contains prayers of preparation for the visit and texts for daily Mass from September 12 to September 29, including the Masses of the papal visit.
It contains the hymns to be sung at the beatification Mass, including Newman’s own “Praise to the Holiest in the Height”, and “Firmly I Believe and Truly”, but also more modern works, such as Bernadette Farrell’s “Christ Be Our Light”, “Be Still for the Presence of the Lord”, and “Make Me A Channel of Your Peace”.
The Creed will be in Latin, according to a plainchant setting, and Eucharistic Prayer III will be used for the Mass in Latin.
The booklet has forewords by Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Lord Patten of Barnes and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
It also contains essays by leading Catholics such as Newman scholar Fr Ian Ker, Bishop Malcolm McMahon of Nottingham, and the current British Ambassador to the Holy See, Francis Campbell.
The booklet is being distributed by Gabriel Communications and the bishops’ conferences of England and Wales and Scotland. A million copies will be sent to parishes in Britain.
Mgr Andrew Summersgill, papal visit coordinator, has said that while this “isn’t enough for everybody who regularly attends Mass”, there will “certainly” be enough copies “for each household”, as well as for those attending papal events http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2010/08/26/official-cardinal-newmans-feast-day-will-be-october-9/
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/europe-england-cardinal-newmans-feast.html


AFRICA: GUINEA BISSAU: COURSE FOR NEW MISSIONARIES AND PRIEST ORDAINED FOR MISSIONS

Agenzia Fides REPORT – The sessions of the Missionary Training Course begun August 2 ended on August 27 with a Mass presided by two bishops of Guinea Bissau. According to information sent to Fides from the Curia of Bissau. The course was attended by 20 missionaries, religious and lay people, from 13 different nationalities, who had the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the local language and were introduced into the social-cultural context of Guinea Bissau. Among the topics discussed during the meetings were: inter-ethnic and interreligious dialogue, inculturation and initiation, forms of evangelization, social and political situation of the country. The closing the course featured the Mass presided over by Bishop Jose Camnate na Bissign of Bissau. The Bishop of Bafata, Bishop Carlos Pedro Zilli, addressed the new missionaries urging them to always feel sent, making an effort to offer their presence in the community, more so than material things. On the eve of the course for new missionaries, the Church of Guinea Bissau experienced an event of great joy and intense prayer with the priestly ordination of Fr. Gaudencio Francisco Pereira, age 35, Guinea-Bissau's first priest to be ordained in the PIME (Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions), and the 2nd African in the Institute. The ordination was celebrated in the Parish of “Nossa Senhora de Fátima,” on July 31, presided by the Bishop of Bissau, Archbishop José Camnate na Bissign. Gaudencio Pereira comes from a religious family. One year after having received baptism in 1996, he entered the Minor Seminary of São Kizito, after which he decided to enter the PIME. He studied philosophy and theology in Brazil and Italy. PIME Missionaries have been present in Guinea-Bissau since 1947.
http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=27298&lan=eng  http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/africa-guinea-bissau-course-for-new.html


AUSTRALIA: BISHOP INGHAM CALLS FOR OPENESS TO REFUGEES

Cath News report: Wollongong's Bishop Peter Ingham has celebrated Refugee and Migrant Sunday at his diocese with a call for openess and tolerance towards new arrivals.

"We are challenged to remain open to newcomers, valuing the common human dignity we share," Bishop Ingham said, according to the Illawarra Mercury. "Terrorism, racism or the economic downturn can all be used as reasons to reject newcomers.

"This attitude only fosters distrust and is contrary to the Australian spirit and our Christian heritage which fundamentally is a call to care for the human person, whatever their circumstance.

"I call for a bipartisan political approach to genuine refugees who come from traumatic situations, fleeing conflict and persecution.

"Today is a time to remember the many migrants and refugees who seek a new home in Australia, and to reflect on how we can better serve their needs."
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=23029
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/australia-bishop-ingham-calls-for.html


TODAY'S SAINT: ST. PAMMACHIUS, DIED 409

St. Pammachius

ROMAN SENATOR

Feast: August 30

Information: Feast Day: August 30

Born: 340

Died: 409 at Rome

Roman senator, d. about 409. In youth he frequented the schools of rehetoric with St. Jerome. In 385 he married Paulina, second daughter of St. Paula. He was probably among the viri genere optimi religione præclari, who in 390 denounced Jovinian to Pope St. Siricius (Ambrose, Ep. xli). When he attacked St. Jerorme's book against Jovinian for prudential reasons, Jerome wrote him two letters (Epp. xlviii-ix, ed. Vallarsi) thanking him; the first, vindicating the book, was probably intended for publication. On Paulina's death in 397, Pammachius became a monk, that is, put on a religious habit and gave himself up to works of charity (Jerome, Ep. lxvi; Paulinus of Nola, Ep. xiii). In 399 Pammachius and Oceanus wrote to St. Jerome asking him to translate Origen's "De Principiis", and repudiate the insinuation of Rufinus that St. Jerome was of one mind with himself with regard to Origen. St. Jerome replied the following year (Epp. lxxxiii-iv). In 401 Pammachius was thanked by St. Augustine (Ep. lviii) for a letter he wrote to the people of Numidia, where he owned property, exhorting them to abandon the Donatist schism. Many of St. Jerome's commentaries on Scripture were dedicated to Pammachius. After his wife's death Pammachius built in conjunction with St. Fabiola (Jerome, Epp. lxvi, lxxvii), a hospice at Porto, at the mouth of the Tiber, for poor strangers. The site has been excavated, and the excavations have disclosed the plan and the arrangement of this only building of its kind. Rooms and halls for the sick and poor were grouped around it (Frothingham, "The Monuments of Christian Rome," p. 49). The church of SS. John and Paul was founded either by Pammachius or his father. It was anciently known first as the Titulus Bizantis, and then as the Titulus Pammachii. The feast of Pammachius is kept on 30 August.

SOURCE http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/P/stpammachius.asp 
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/todays-saint-st-pammachius-died-409.html 
 
 
TODAY'S GOSPEL: AUG. 30- Luke 4: 16 - 30


Luke 4: 16 - 30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the sabbath day. And he stood up to read; \
17 and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
20 And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
21 And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
22 And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?"
23 And he said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, `Physician, heal yourself; what we have heard you did at Caper'na-um, do here also in your own country.'"
24 And he said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his own country.
25 But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Eli'jah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land;
26 and Eli'jah was sent to none of them but only to Zar'ephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Eli'sha; and none of them was cleansed, but only Na'aman the Syrian."
28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath.
29 And they rose up and put him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong.
30 But passing through the midst of them he went away.
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/todays-gospel-aug-30-luke-4-16-30.html

CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: SUN. AUG. 29, 2010

CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: SUN. AUG. 29, 2010: HEADLINES-
VATICAN: POPE: PRAYS FOR TRAPPED MINERS AND CALLS FOR HUMILITY-
MIDDLE EAST: IRAQ- CATHOLIC KILLED AFTER FAMILY PAYS $15,000 RANSOM-
ASIA: INDIA: DALIT ARCHBISHOP MARAMPUDI DIES AGE 68-

AMERICA: USA: OVER 500, 000 ATTEND RELIGIOUS RALLY IN WASHINGTON DC-
AFRICA: DEM. REP. OF CONGO: BISHOP BUILDS BRIDGES-

AUSTRALIA: 5 MEN ORDAINED TO DIACONATE SHOWS INCREASE IN VOCATIONS-

EUROPE: ENGLAND: YOUTH 2000 ANNUAL PRAYER FESTIVAL-



VATICAN: POPE: PRAYS FOR TRAPPED MINERS AND CALLS FOR HUMILITY

Vatican Channel- Pope: There Can Be No Peace Without Respect for Environment
During his Sunday Angelus Address, Pope Benedict said he was thinking with particular affection of the trapped miners in San Jose, Chile. He assured them and their families of his constant prayer in the hope of a happy conclusion to the work that's being done to rescue them. The 33 Chilean miners have been trapped for more than 20 days 700 meters below ground. The Holy Father also recalled that on September 1st in Italy, the Church marks the Day for the Integrity of Creation. He made note that is now a regular event, which is also important at an ecumenical level. He said this year reminds us that there can be no peace without respect for the environment. The Pope said we have a duty to pass the earth on to the next generation in such a state that they can live in it with dignity and further preserve it. Before the Marian prayer Pope Benedict spoke of the importance of humility drawing from today's Gospel. He said we look to Christ as a model of humility and generosity. And he said we learn from him how to be patient against temptations, lenient towards insults and obedient towards God when in pain.
http://www.youtube.com/vatican#p/a/u/0/SqgzqE7391U


MIDDLE EAST: IRAQ- CATHOLIC KILLED AFTER FAMILY PAYS $15,000 RANSOM

Asia News report: The family are delivered a corpse after paying 15,000 dollars ransom. For Islamic extremists to kill a Christian during the holy month of Ramadan is a meritorious action. Concerns about widespread insecurity, after the withdrawal of Americans and the lack of a government more than five months after the elections.
Mosul (AsiaNews) - A Syrian Catholic Christian, who was abducted a week ago, was killed despite the fact that the family had paid a ransom of 15 thousand US dollars. Local sources have informed AsiaNews that yesterday the corpse was delivered to Karakosh, where the family had emigrated in order to escape violence. The same source commented: "For the Muslim extremists, killing a Christian in the period of Ramadan is a worthy action before God".
Louyaé Behnam, 35, was a native of Mosul, where until a few years ago he ran a glazier shop. For security reasons, he moved along with his family to Karakosh - Baghdeeda 30 km from Mosul. The predominantly Christian city is located in the district of Karakosh (Nineveh Plain), and home to many Christian refugees from Mosul and Baghdad.
Behnam was kidnapped last August 25 in Karakosh - Baghdeeda by a group of armed men, who immediately after the abduction demanded a ransom of 15 thousand dollars. The family had paid the sum and had waited all these days for his release.
Northern Iraq has long been the site of targeted attacks against the Christian community by extremists and criminals, gangs.
The withdrawal of the last contingent of U.S. troops at the end of “Operation Iraqi Freedom "- which officially ends on August 31 – has increased the climate of general insecurity, which is worsened by the fact that Iraq has been waiting for over 6 months for the formation of a government after the March elections. "These acts - sources tell AsiaNews - are abominable because they are an affront to all humanity and all religions. To Islamic extremists, killing a Christian in the period of Ramadan is an action worthy before God. It is a jihad [holy war] against those who do not believe in the perfect and absolute religion, which for them is Islam".
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Mosul-Catholic-killed-after-kidnapping.-The-family-had-paid-a-ransom-19308.html
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/middle-east-iraq-catholic-killed-after.html



ASIA: INDIA: DALIT ARCHBISHOP MARAMPUDI DIES AGE 68

Asia News report: The 68-year-old prelate was the first Dalit archbishop of India and had been ill for some time. Converted by PIME missionaries, he was one of the greatest figures of the Catholic Church of India of the last 30 years for his work on behalf of Dalit. His funeral is scheduled for tomorrow.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) – Mgr Joji Marampudi, archbishop of Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), died yesterday at the age of 68. He was the first untouchable to become archbishop and had been ill for quite some time. He is considered one of the greatest figures in India’s Catholic Church for his work on behalf of Dalits. Hundreds of people paid tribute to him, filing past his body, including Konijeti Rosaiah, chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. Mgr Marampudi’s funeral is expected to take place tomorrow in the cathedral of Vijayawada. Born on 7 October 1942 in Bhimavaran (Andhra Pradesh) in an ethnic Telugu Dalit family, Mgr Marampudi came to Christianity through the Pontifical Institute of Foreign Missions (PIME), the first group to bring the Christian mission to the Dalits of the diocese of Hyderabad.
Baptised by PIME Fathers, the prelate became a priest on 14 December 1971 and in 2000, he was appointed archbishop of Hyderabad, the first Dalit to lead an archdiocese. Before that, he had been bishop of Vijayawada. For more than 30 years, he has fought for the emancipation of the untouchables, speaking with the highest religious and political leaders.
“Mgr Marampudi was raised by PIME Fathers, and he always stressed that as a point of honour,” said Fr Giovanni Battista Zanchi, PIME Superior General. “He was very active in his pastoral work and went through difficult times, especially on the issue of caste. However, thanks to his skills as a diplomat he was able to deal with everyone.”
Fr Aloisius Selvakumar (PIME) was Mgr Marampudi’s secretary for three years. He remembers him as an active person. “He knew how to speak to people from every walk of life,” he said. “He always told us to welcome everyone who turned to the Church.”
In praising Mgr Marampudi, Fr Selvakumar also explained that in his ten years of apostolate he was able to renew the spiritual life of the parishes, building new high schools and restoring a number of churches.
In accordance with his wishes, Mgr Marampudi will be buried in Vijayawada.
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Mgr-Joji-Marampudi,-archbishop-of-Hyderabad,-dies-19307.html
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/asia-india-dalit-archbishop-marampudi.html


AMERICA: USA: OVER 500, 000 ATTEND RELIGIOUS RALLY IN WASHINGTON DC

Catholic Online REPORT- The crowd easily exceeded 500,000 people On Saturday, August 28, 2010, a massive crowd of people gathered in Washington, D.C. for a "Restoring Honor" Rally. The Rally was called by Glenn Beck, who has captured the heart of many Americans and raised the ire of some in the main stream media. The sheer numbers demonstrated that the rally had support well beyond the persistent efforts by some in the media to marginalize it. The pundits who condescendingly sought to marginalize the event for weeks before it happened - going so far as to attempt to paint it with allegations of racism - should have been ashamed. The stage was filled with men and women of color, who, with the raucous support of the hundreds of thousands gathered, affirmed our solidarity as Americans. Dr. Alveda King reminded the crowd that we are 'united by blood as one race, the human race.'
On Saturday, August 28, 2010, a crystal clear, sunny day in Washington D.C. a massive crowd of people gathered for a "Restoring Honor" Rally. The Rally was called by Glenn Beck, the popular radio and television personality who has captured the heart of many Americans and raised the ire of some in the main stream media.
The sheer numbers demonstrated that the rally had support well beyond the persistent efforts by some in the media to marginalize it as a "tea party" event. Of course, in their condescension these same people used that term in a disparaging manner. The crowd easily exceeded 500,000 people. The event stage was set up at the base of the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. However, the massive crowd stretched along the Lincoln Memorial, on both sides of the reflective pond stretching all the way to the Washington Monument. An opening song, reflecting on the aftermath of the tragedy of 9/11, was written for the event and beautifully performed by a woman named Angelica Tucker. It set the theme: "We must rebuild our lives, our strength, and our hearts. not just the buildings we lost." It was followed by an eloquent prayer by Evangelical Bishop Harry Jackson of Washington's Hope Christian Church who is emerging as one of many men of courage, honor and character unafraid to speak and live the truth in our day.
The address given by Dr. Alveda King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, secured this heroic and inspiring woman's place in American history. This is the 47th anniversary of her uncle, the late, great Christian minister and human rights hero, Dr Martin Luther Kings' famous "I Have a Dream" Speech. He would have been proud of his niece. She is an heir of his legacy and certainly has his extraordinary gift for prophetic rhetoric which can rouse the heart of a Nation. This was a masterful and inspired speech, given on the day when the Nation honors one of our greatest Americans. Dr Alveda King candidly and honestly declared that "our material gains seem to be going the way of our moral losses" but then insisted "We are Not without Hope!". She referenced the iconic words of her uncle, adding "I Still Have a Dream". She roused the crowd and called the Nation to unity through the restoration of the guiding principles which inspired her uncle's heroic life and death and informed the American experiment.
The pundits who condescendingly sought to marginalize the event for weeks before it happened - going so far as to attempt to paint it with allegations of racism - should have been ashamed. The stage was filled with men and women of color, who, with the raucous support of the hundreds of thousands gathered, affirmed our solidarity as Americans. Dr. Alveda King reminded the crowd that we are " united by blood as one race, the human race."
The address given by Glenn Beck followed, calling the Nation to 'Wake Up'. He told the hundreds of thousands gathered in the Nation's Capitol that it was time to "Start the Heart of America again." Framing his address with copious references to the founders and founding documents he used the backdrop of the Lincoln memorial and the Washington Memorial to accentuate his message. He honored the heroism of the founders and the genius of the American experiment. However, he also acknowledged the limitations and the scars of those who helped found the American experiment. This was the most significant part of Beck's address. He repeatedly explained to the crowd that scars and mistakes are invitations to learn, change, grow and improve - insisting that this is true for people and for Nations. He is correct.
He invited the crowd to continue the "unfinished work" which Abraham Lincoln referred to in his Gettysburg Address, telling those gathered to make a choice for the future. He proclaimed it is "...what we do from here that matters. this is the point of choice!" His final historical reference was to John Newton; the Captain of a Slave ship in the 1700's who in the midst of a threatening storm at sea turned to God and was dramatically converted. He reformed his life and wrote the Hymn Amazing Grace, which Beck called the best song ever written for bagpipes. At that moment, bagpipers emerged and the melody of that song began.
As the platform filled with 240 religious leaders from every religious tradition, the crowd began to sing the hymn, led by an unidentified but gifted man whose beautiful voice enhanced the emotion laden moment. With a prayer led by a heroic man who overcame great obstacles in his own life, the whole point of the day was again underscored and the official part of the Rally to Restore Honor came to a conclusion.
Clearly, Glenn Beck's dreams for a Rally which could "restart the heart of America" exceeded all expectations. Even the Press, which for days leading up to the event had minimized, mocked and trivialized the event, immediately began to acknowledge its massive size and possible significance. Then, they quickly regrouped and the punditry began all over again. I imagine the implications of the event will be fodder for much pontificating for weeks. However, any honest reporter must admit that this was clearly an historic event.
The people who gathered in the Capitol on August 28, 2010, from all over the Nation and representing a wide cross section of the people of the United States of America, left filled with hope, encouraged and challenged to serve and participate.That can only be good for what ails this Nation.
SOURCE http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=38033
IMAGE http://dc.about.com/od/protestsandrallies/ss/Glen-Beck-Rally-Pictures_11.htm
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/america-usa-over-500-000-attend.html


AFRICA: DEM. REP. OF CONGO: BISHOP BUILDS BRIDGES

CNA REPORT- In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as Zaire, Bishop Nicolas Djomo is a bridge builder. Whenever the funds are available, he calls for the construction of a new bridge in the Diocese of Tshumbe, which he has shepherded since late 1997.
In a country in which infrastructure has been given short shrift amid internal and regional conflict, these efforts address a need that governmental leaders have proven unable to satisfy. But more significantly, Bishop Djomo is also a bridge builder in a figurative sense.
As a diocesan bishop as well as president of the national bishops’ conference, he has actively promoted peace in a country still reeling from the Second Congo War.
The war, which began early in Djomo’s second year as bishop of Tshumbe, raged on from 1998-2003 with the Congo being one of eight African nations embroiled in the conflict.
“The first five years [as bishop], it was very, very tough because the diocese is isolated; it’s remote,” Bishop Djomo said.
Early in the war, he said, the Tshumbe region was cut off from the capital city of Kinshasa, requiring the Church to serve as the primary provider of education, health care and other essential services, as well as a safe haven for women.
During the war, while hostilities between Congo, Rwanda and Burundi were still ongoing, the bishops conferences of those three countries met with one another and delivered messages of peace to each country’s president.
According to the best estimates, Bishop Djomo said, at least five million people died during the war, which also produced two million refugees and resulted in one million internally displaced.
The after-effects of the conflict are still being felt today.
“Because of the war, the poverty is huge,” Bishop Djomo said, “so most of the population [is] living with less than one dollar a day.”
He said there is also a large number of orphans and street children, for whom the Local Church is working to provide shelter and schooling.
And even today, seven years after the Second Congo War officially ended, violence and atrocities continue in the eastern part of the country, where armed groups profit from the sale of gold, coltan, wolframite and cassiterite mined by locals under inhumane conditions. Such “conflict minerals” are often used in the manufacturing of cell phones, computers and other products.
Bishop Djomo, while visiting the Diocese of San Diego and other California dioceses in May, urged support for U.S. legislation requiring companies to disclose the source of their minerals. The goal is to discourage the purchase of minerals from mines that are tied to human rights abuses and armed conflict.
Closer to home, Bishop Djomo has launched several peace building initiatives within the Congo.
He was among the participants in the Synod of Bishops for Africa, which met in October 2009 at the Vatican. The synod’s theme was “The Church in Africa at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace.” Its purpose, he said, was to discuss how the Church could further the cause of peace in Africa.

Bishop Djomo said the synod concluded with a call for all African Catholics to sow the seeds of peace in their daily interactions with others, for Catholic schools to educate toward “a culture of peace,” for each diocesan bishop to make peace building a pastoral priority and for Catholic political leaders to govern according to the dictates of their faith.

Current peace building efforts in the Congo include plans for a peace studies institute at the Catholic university in Kinshasa, as well as cultural exchanges between Catholic youth from the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi.

This October, Bishop Djomo said, a major regional meeting of Church leaders will take place in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, to further discuss “the contribution of the Church for a lasting peace in central Africa.”

Reflecting on the recommendations of last year’s synod, Bishop Djomo said, “That every Catholic be a peace instrument, everywhere in Africa, that is our goal.”

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/bridge-building-bishop-works-for-peace-in-africa/
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/africa-dem-rep-of-congo-bishop-builds.html


AUSTRALIA: 5 MEN ORDAINED TO DIACONATE SHOWS INCREASE IN VOCATIONS

Cath News report: Five men were ordained to the Diaconate at Mary MacKillop Parish, in Ballajura, Western Australia, last week, by Perth Archbishop Barry Hickey, who called on them to take "the Word out into the world beyond the doors of the Church".

Image from The Record.com.au showing Deacons Frank Birrell (Broome Diocese), Emmanuel Valentine Dimobi, Daniel Boyd, Cyprian Shikokoti and Anibal Leite da Cunha (Perth Archdiocese) prostrating themselves during the ordination to the Diaconate, at Mary MacKillop Parish in Ballajura. Photo: Bridget Spinks, The Record.
Deacons Frank Birrell, from Broome Diocese, and the other four from the Perth Archdiocese, Emmanuel Valentine Dimobi, Daniel Boyd, Cyprian Shikokoti and Anibal Leite da Cunha will carry out Diaconate duties for about a year until they are ordained to the priesthood, reports The Record.

Bishop Christopher Saunders of Broome Diocese, Perth Vicar General Mgr Brian O'Loughlin, St Charles Seminary Rector Mgr Kevin Long and up to 40 Perth clergy concelebrated the Mass.

Students from both St Charles and Redemptoris Mater seminaries were present in the congregation of up to 800 people.

In his homily, Archbishop Hickey said that the vocation for the new Deacons, who are "in transit" to the Priesthood, was to follow Jesus who came to serve, not to be served; who in the Gospel of John called his followers "no longer servants but friends".

He emphasised the deacon's vocation to serve the world.

"I say that specifically tonight because if there was ever a time in the world's history when the Word of God is needed out there, beyond our borders, it is now," Archbishop Hickey said in the celebration, which was held on the eve of the Federal Election.

He said that the Word of God has been needed "in every time" but was especially needed now, in Australia, as "we can see strong currents all around us: in politics, in social policy, in the way people live their lives as if God didn't exist".

http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=22998
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/australia-5-men-ordained-to-diaconate.html



EUROPE: ENGLAND: YOUTH 2000 ANNUAL PRAYER FESTIVAL

Catholic Herald report: As the movement marks its 20th birthday Damian Arnold talks to young people whose lives have been transformed by the initiative. By Damian Arnold on Friday, 27 August 2010

Young people are pictured outside the National Shrine of Our Lady, Walsingham, where Youth 2000 holds its life-changing annual prayer festival

A group of young people, many of whom would not be out of place in a trendy nightclub, are becalmed in front of the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the altar, deep in contemplative prayer, magnetised towards Jesus. The holy rosary is recited and there are priests hearing Confessions all around.

This is not a typical model of Catholic youth ministry in Britain and yet Youth 2000 marks its 20th birthday this year with an abundance of fruits to celebrate since its founder, Ernest Williams, had a vision of young people around the world adoring the Eucharist and founded the lay evangelisation initiative in 1990.

The party will start rocking later this month at Youth 2000’s annual prayer festival at Walsingham, the biggest residential Catholic retreat for young people in Britain. The “rapping friar” Fr Stan Fortuna will be purveying his brand of divinely inspired hip-hop and freestyling lyrical. In between, the friar from the Bronx will be talking about how to be counter-cultural in world where to be Catholic and young is tough. He is the ideal man for the job, having even gained respect and recognition for his from a hip-hop community in the US that is more noted for its materialistic “bling” and lyrics steeped in gun violence and misogyny.

This is one example of the daring of an organisation with a very simple message that has transformed the lives of thousands of young people: the power and healing of Jesus exposed in the Blessed Sacrament.

The devotion that was popularised by St Francis of Assisi in the 13th century has caused a ripple that has spread outwards to young people in Britain who have been brought back to friendship with Jesus, active involvement in the Church and to evangelisation of their non-Christian and non-practising friends.

“We encourage people to pray silently and deeply before the Blessed Sacrament,” says the Youth 2000 website. “In our day-to-day lives we are surrounded by the TV, music and mobile phones beeping. The silence allows people to focus on deepening their relationship with God – for us to speak to Him, and for Him to speak to us.”

Youth 2000’s mission statement is to give young people aged between 16 and 25 a gateway back to God. The website is written to appeal to a young audience. Praying to Our Lady is a way of being “whisked to God” while praise and worship is a “hymn gym”. The weekly prayer groups convened around the country are places to “chill out not freak out”.

Young people are given the space to let God reveal himself to them. “[The prayer groups] are very hands-off,” says the website. “There’s no pressure for anyone to noticeably participate. You can just sneak in at the back and scope things out for the first week if you like. There is complete freedom to dip in and out.”

Since the first retreat in 1990, Youth 2000 has inspired more than 70 vocations to the priesthood and the religious life; many of these priests celebrate Mass at the retreats. Many others have found their vocation to the married life and now bring their children to the retreats.

Youth 2000 has also spread to other countries. In May it marked its anniversary with a gathering in Rome with representatives from the US, France, Germany and Ireland. Each country brings its own charism. France is the latest country to be involved and the fastest-growing. In Germany it has become deeply embedded into diocesan life, and in the US it has been promoted vigorously by the big-bearded Franciscan Friars of Renewal. In Ireland some of the country’s Gypsy community has been evangelised.

In Britain, Youth 2000 organises five retreats a year around the country. These donation-only retreats are noticeable for how many people are going to Confession. One Y2K leader says: “In my parish Confessions were only available for one hour on a Saturday, but on these retreats they were 24/7. I hadn’t been to Confession for about 10 years but it was inspiring to see so many other young people who weren’t scared of going. It’s easier when there are 200 other young people around you going to the sacrament.”

Another says: “I did not realise the importance of Confession until I came to a Youth 2000 retreat. Then I realised that I needed to seek forgiveness and that I was in a place of sanctuary where I could find healing.”

Mothers are amazed when their teenage children return home with tales of voluntarily rising in the middle of the night, after sleeping on a hard floor, to be with Jesus, kept exposed in the Eucharist through the night.

For many the experience of praying the rosary for the first time is visceral. “I had never prayed a rosary before Youth 2000,” says one. “But I soon realised it was Our Lady leading me back to Christ.”

But some are confused and have questions. What is Eucharistic Adoration? What is the rosary and why do we pray it? It is the start of a journey of formation.

And having experienced the euphoria of “plugging back into God” the young people walk away with powerful tools to enable them to put Christ at the centre of their everyday lives: prayer and Adoration, the rosary and a network of supportive friends.

At the 1989 World Youth Day, Pope John Paul II said: “You young people have in a special way the task of witnessing today to the faith; the commitment to bring the Gospel of Christ – the Way, the Truth and the Life – into the third Christian Millennium, to build a new civilisation, a civilisation of love, of justice and of peace.”

Fourteen years later and two years before his death, the Pope wrote to Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, saying: “The growth of groups such as Youth 2000… are evidence of the desire of many young people to share in the Church’s life… You will find their enthusiasm and generosity exactly what is needed to promote a spirit of renewal not just among themselves but in the entire Christian community.”

The Youth 2000 Prayer Festival – Sanctuary Walsingham is from August 26-30. Visit http://www.youth2000.org/
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/features/2010/08/27/youth-2000-offers-gateway-back-to-god/
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/europe-england-youth-2000-annual-prayer.html


TODAY'S SAINT: BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist

Feast: August 29

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST was called by God to be the forerunner of His divine Son. In order to preserve his innocence spotless, and to improve the extraordinary graces which he had received, he was directed by the Holy Ghost to lead an austere and contemplative life in the wilderness, in the continual exercises of devout prayer and penance, from his infancy till he was thirty years of age. At this age the faithful minister began to discharge his mission. Clothed with the weeds of penance, be announced to all men the obligation they lay under of washing away their iniquities with the tears of sincere compunction; and proclaimed the Messias, Who was then coming to make His appearance among them. He was received by the people as the true herald of the Most High God, and his voice was, as it were, a trumpet sounding from heaven to summon all men to avert the divine judgments, and to prepare themselves to reap the benefit of Vie mercy that was offered them. The tetrarch Herod Antipas having, in defiance of all laws divine and human, married Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, who was yet living, St. John the Baptist boldly reprehended the tetrarch and his accomplice for so scandalous an incest and adultery, and Herod, urged on by lust and anger, cast the Saint into prison. About a year after St. John had been made a prisoner, Herod gave a splendid entertainment to the nobility of Galilee. Salome, a daughter of Herodias by her lawful husband, pleased Herod by her dancing, insomuch that he promised her to grant whatever she asked. On this, Salome consulted with her mother what to ask. Herodias instructed her daughter to demand the death of John the Baptist, and persuaded the young damsel to make it part of her petition that the head of the prisoner should be forthwith brought to her in a dish. This strange request startled the tyrant himself; he assented, however, and sent a soldier of his guard to behead the Saint in prison, with an order to bring his head in a charger and present it to Salome, who delivered it to her mother. St. Jerome relates that the furious Herodias made it her inhuman pastime to prick the sacred tongue with a bodkin. Thus died the great forerunner of our blessed Saviour, about two years and three months after his entrance upon his public ministry, about a year before the death of our blessed Redeemer.
http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/M/martyrdomofstjohnthebaptist.asp
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/todays-saint-beheading-of-st-john.html
 
 
TODAY'S MASS READINGS: 22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME


Sirach 3: 17 - 18, 20, 28 - 29
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17 My son, perform your tasks in meekness; then you will be loved by those whom God accepts.
18 The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord.
20 For great is the might of the Lord; he is glorified by the humble.
28 The affliction of the proud has no healing, for a plant of wickedness has taken root in him.
29 The mind of the intelligent man will ponder a parable, and an attentive ear is the wise man's desire.



Psalms 68: 4 - 7, 10 - 11
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4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds; his name is the LORD, exult before him!
5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
6 God gives the desolate a home to dwell in; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity; but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
7 O God, when thou didst go forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness, [Selah]
10 thy flock found a dwelling in it; in thy goodness, O God, thou didst provide for the needy.
11 The Lord gives the command; great is the host of those who bore the tidings:



Hebrews 12: 18 - 19, 22 - 24
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18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest,
19 and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers entreat that no further messages be spoken to them.
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
23 and to the assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to a judge who is God of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks more graciously than the blood of Abel.



GOSPEL
Luke 14: 1, 7 - 14
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1 One sabbath when he went to dine at the house of a ruler who belonged to the Pharisees, they were watching him.
7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he marked how they chose the places of honor, saying to them,
8 "When you are invited by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest a more eminent man than you be invited by him;
9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, `Give place to this man,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.
10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, `Friend, go up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.
11 For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
12 He said also to the man who had invited him, "When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your kinsmen or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and you be repaid.
13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind,
14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just." http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/todays-mass-readings-22nd-sunday-in.html