CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: SUN. SEPT. 12, 2010: HEADLINES-
VATICAN: POPE: ANGELUS: FOCUSES ON SINNER'S RETURN TO FATHER-
ASIA: INDIA: CHRISTIAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL SET ON FIRE-
AUSTRALIA: DEATH OF FR. BERNHARD PHILBERTH-
EUROPE: GREAT BRITAIN FIRST VOWS OF CARMELITE FRIAR-
AFRICA: SUDAN: BISHOP CALLS FOR POLITICAL SOLUTION-
AMERICA: USA: TWINS FIND DIFFERENTS PATHS TO GOD-
VATICAN: POPE: ANGELUS: FOCUSES ON SINNER'S RETURN TO FATHER
Radio Vaticana report: Pope Benedict told the many thousands gathered for the Sunday Angelus at Castelgandolo that while we are sinners God still loves us.
"How can we not open our hearts to the certainty that, while we are sinners we are loved by God?", was the question Pope Benedict posed to the many hundreds of people gathered in the Courtyard of the papal summer residence at Castelgandolfo where he commented on today's Gospel and the three parables of mercy”.
In today’s Gospel Jesus speaks of the rejoicing in heaven which accompanies the return of sinners to the house of the Father. Focusing in particular on the "Prodigal Son", Pope Benedict XVI recalled that God the father "never tires of coming to meet us, he always travels first to the road that separates us from Him." The repentance of the son, who faces an "inner pilgrimage" to return "home to himself and his father," said the Pope, "is the measure of faith and with it a return to the truth."
Then, continued the Holy Father, when the elder son is angered by the festive reception given to his brother, it is the father who reminds him "you are always with me, but you had to celebrate because your brother was lost and is now found". Only faith, Pope Benedict XVI concluded, "can transform selfishness into joy and renew good relationships with others and with God."
After reciting the Angelus prayer the Pope greeted the many pilgrims who had gathered and the Pope could also be heard and seen on giant TV screens by thousands of people in St Peter’s Square:
“I welcome all the English-speaking pilgrims, especially the Bishops taking part in the ecumenical meeting sponsored by the Focolare Movement. I also greet the young people of the Don Bosco Oratory from Victoria, Gozo, Malta, and the Friends of the John Paul II Foundation from Saudi Arabia”.
The Pope also asked the faithful to accompany him in prayer on the visit he will make to the United Kingdom next week where he will beatify Cardinal John Henry Newman. http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=421937
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/vatican-pope-angelus-focuses-on-sinners.html
ASIA: INDIA: CHRISTIAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL SET ON FIRE
Asia News report: Protests against insulting the Qur’an continue in India. In predominantly Muslim areas, a mob burns a church and a school. At least 11 people, including demonstrators and a police agent, are killed. The authorities impose a curfew. Christians condemn the violence.
New Delhi (AsiaNews) – Muslim extremists set fire to a Church and to a Christian school in Punjab in reaction to the proposed Qur‘an burning by Rev Terry Jones, a US clergyman, in order to commemorate 9/1, an action he later abandoned but still caused protests among Muslims and anti-Christian violence. In India, the latter have taken a distinctly political and separatist tone. The resulting incidents with police left 11 people dead. The Christian Society Mission School was set on fire this morning in Tangmarg, near Gulmarg. Rumours had already spread that it might be targeted but the authorities ignored them. When fire fighters tried to the wood-made church, they were stopped by a mob. The entire building burnt to the ground but students were not hurt.
However, this was not the only act of violence. Demonstrators also stormed a government building and clashed with police. Seven people were killed, including a police officer. Four more people died in earlier protests.
“The [church] fire was fuelled by both rumours of an alleged burning of the Qur‘an and the political situation” in the state, Mgr Peter Celestine, bishop of Jammu-Srinagar, told AsiaNews. “Witnesses said that hundreds of people were on streets yesterday night.” From there, they “barged into the school building and set it ablaze. Curfew has been imposed.”
Anti-government Islamic protests are commonplace in the state. At least 70 demonstrators have been killed by police in the past three months. The ‘Burn-the-Qur‘an’ issue was just a pretext to vent anti-government feelings.
“The proposal to burn the Qur‘an’, even though it was abandoned, created a very tense situation. Fear and anxiety are widespread. Christians constitute only 0.0014 per cent of the population. So far, we have had cordial relations with our Muslim brothers and the authorities, but this initiative is cause for concern,” the bishop said.
In Punjab last night, an angry crowd burnt a church and various cars parked in Loha Bazar in the city of Malerkotla, Sangrur District, a predominantly Muslim area, because of Rev Jones’ proposal. The authorities have imposed a curfew until 6 pm fearing more violence.
The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) condemned the church burning. For its president Sajan K. George, “World’s leaders and media” must “show the same kind of outspoken condemnation when radical actions, on an equal or larger scale [than the abandoned plan to burn the Qur‘an], are committed against peace-loving Christians. We plead with the Federal Home minister of India and the [state and federal] governments to show their magnanimity” and condemn “the mindless violence against Christians in Punjab.”
“The GCIC feels bad about hearing that in Malerkotla the decade-old harmony was broken. I just wish this were an isolated case and the fire did not spread elsewhere,” George added. http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Christian-church-and-school-set-on-fire-in-Punjab-because-of-the-‘Burn-the-Qur‘an’-proposal-19445.html
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/asia-india-christian-church-and-school.html
AUSTRALIA: DEATH OF FR. BERNHARD PHILBERTH
Cath News report: Father Bernhard Philberth, a German-born priest who made his name in Europe as an independent physicist, inventor and environmentalist, has died of pneumonia in Melbourne, aged 83.
Bernhard Philberth first came to Australia after his ordination at the request of the federal government, which sought his advice about research in Antarctica. For many years he alternated between Australia and Germany before settling permanently in Melbourne in 1993. Following a heart attack in 1999, he was no longer able to travel.
Amogn his work as a scientist in the 1960s involved driving a project to investigate the disposal of radioactive waste in the world's deep, stable ice caps, while brother Karl headed an international thermal drilling program in Greenland that was part of the overall radioactive waste program.
Born in Traunstein, a town in south-eastern Bavaria, Philberth's teenage years were overshadowed by World War II. He read voraciously and made his first invention aged 13. Towards the end of the war he and his classmates were enlisted in an anti-aircraft defence unit, and after the war he decided to study physics.
His work on radioactive waste under the ice caps as well as that on many inventions on his own and with his brother, writing of several books and scientific papers, and consulting work for the Vatican prevented him from studying for the priesthood, which had been his dream from childhood.
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=23245
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/australia-death-of-fr-bernhard.html
EUROPE: GREAT BRITAIN FIRST VOWS OF CARMELITE FRIAR
Following a rite originating in the Middle Ages, Andy's profession of vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, was made into the hands of the Prior Provincial of the British Province, Fr Wilfrid McGreal, O.Carm.
Andy entered the Carmelite Order as a novice in the autumn of 2009. Since then his initial formation has been overseen by the Novice Director and former Prior General of the Order, Fr Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm.
The rite of profession, which took place during a celebration of the Eucharist, was attended by the Aylesford community of friars where Andy has lived for the last year, and brothers from other houses of the British Province. Andy's mother, twin brother, sister, aunt and nephews also attended his special day.
Also in attendance were a large number of Andy's friends from the Catholic Association, which - together with partners including the British Province of Carmelites - organises pilgrimages to Lourdes every August. Andy, as a former nurse, is deeply involved in the life of the pilgrimage.
After a short holiday, Andy will be joining the community of Carmelite friars in York in late September.
To see a short video of the rite of profession and a video interview Andy gave the evening before his profession, see: New Carmelite friar professed at Ayelsford
Brother Andy Joyce, O.Carm, made his first profession of vows as a Carmelite friar, at Aylesford Priory in Kent on Saturday, 11 September.
Following a rite originating in the Middle Ages, Andy's profession of vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, was made into the hands of the Prior Provincial of the British Province, Fr. Wilfrid McGreal, O.Carm.
Andy entered the Carmelite Order as a novice in the autumn of 2009. Since then his initial formation has been overseen by the Novice Director and former Prior General of the Order, Fr. Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm.
The rite of profession, which took place during a celebration of the Eucharist, was attended by the Aylesford community of friars where Andy has lived for the last year, and brothers from other houses of the British Province. Andy's mother, twin brother, sister, aunty and nephews also attended his special day.
Also in attendance were a large number of Andy's friends from the Catholic Association, which - together with partners including the British Province of Carmelites - organises pilgrimages to Lourdes every August. Andy, as a former nurse, is deeply involved in the life of the pilgrimage.
After a short holiday, Andy will be joining the community of Carmelite friars in York in late September.
To see more pictures, a short video of the rite of profession and a video interview Andy gave the evening before his profession, see:
www.carmelite.org/index.php?nuc=news&func=view&item=275
http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=16705
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/europe-great-britain-first-vows-of.html
AFRICA: SUDAN: BISHOP CALLS FOR POLITICAL SOLUTION
Agenzia Fides REPORT – "After 25 years of war, we need to find a political solution," Fides was told by Bishop Edward Hiiboro Kussala of Tombura-Yambo, in southern Sudan, where last week there was a meeting of the Regional Conference of Religious Leaders on the impact of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).
Bishop Kussala reports that "the meeting was attended by delegations from the four countries - Uganda, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Central Africa – who are affected by the actions of the LRA, a total of 60 representatives. In addition to representatives of the Catholic Church, there were those of other Christian denominations and Muslims." After the meetings, a document was issued asking the governments of the four countries affected by the LRA's activity to find a political solution to the crisis.
In June 2008, after the failure of peace talks between the Ugandan government and the LRA held in Juba, the capital of Southern Sudan, the region's governments took the road of military action (see Fides 4/6/2008) to put an end to incursions by guerrillas who have now moved from northern Uganda (the birthplace of the movement) to the northeast of the DRC, southern Sudan, and eastern Central Africa. Despite the deployment of military contingents in Congo, Uganda, and Central Africa, the LRA rebels continue to attack civilians in affected areas. In the Diocese of Tombura-Yambo alone, 7 parishes have been hard hit.
"I reiterated the need to find a political solution to the LRA problem in my meeting with the Ugandan Defense Minister, whom I met with yesterday," Bishop Kussala told Fides. He also mentioned that "the LRA leader, Kony, has sent me a letter which was delivered to various other regional and international figures (including the UN Secretary General), saying that he is willing to enter into peace talks once more."
“Let's not close the door on negotiations,” concluded the Bishop of Tombura-Yambo. http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=27405&lan=eng
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/africa-sudan-bishop-calls-for-political.html
AMERICA: USA: TWINS FIND DIFFERENTS PATHS TO GOD
CNA report: Sister Elizabeth Ann O’Reilly and Dr. Katie O’Reilly are identical twins. Growing up in New Orleans, they both enjoyed science and both considered careers in medicine. However, in college both had spiritual conversions that led them on different, yet often parallel, paths. Despite their different vocations, major events in their lives have occurred at about the same time.
“The year I got my white coat, my second year in medical school, she got her habit,” Dr. O’Reilly said. “The year I got married she professed her final vows.”
“And the same year she started medical school, I began convent,” Sister Elizabeth Ann said. “Both take eight to 10 years.”
They arrived in Central Texas a month apart, living their vocations in different ways. Sister Elizabeth Ann was among eight Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist who arrived in August 2009 from the motherhouse in Ann Arbor, Mich., at the invitation of Bishop Gregory Aymond, who is now archbishop of New Orleans. She works at the diocesan Pastoral Center, helping to expand the presence of the sisters in the diocese.
Dr. O’Reilly works for LitePath, a group of pathologists that contract with area hospitals, including Seton Medical Center Hays in Kyle, where she offices. She and her husband Doug Consiglio are parents to eight-month-old Theresa.
In high school, they forged their own identities and when it came time to choose a college, they went their separate ways.
They joke that they took different paths because Dr. O’Reilly attended a Jesuit university –– Loyola University New Orleans –– while Sister Elizabeth Ann attended a Franciscan university –– the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio.
The separation was hard on Dr. O’Reilly.
“When she left, people called me ‘water works,’” she said, recalling all the tears after being separated from her twin for the first time. “I was thinking of how different things would be.”
When Sister Elizabeth Ann entered convent, the separation seemed more permanent to Dr. O’Reilly. However, she soon realized their different vocations did not separate them.
“Even though she’s a sister, she’s still my sister,” Dr. O’Reilly said. “I realized God gives the family graces when he takes away a sibling.”
That grace led the two of them to grow deeper in their faith. The two continue to support each other in their vocations as well as in their spiritual lives.
“We are best friends, even when we are separated,” Sister Elizabeth Ann said. “The conversion experience allowed me to change paths because I let God use the gifts I have.”
Despite the fact that she has been Sister Elizabeth Ann for several years, sometimes Dr. O’Reilly uses her given name –– Carey –– although she quickly corrects herself in the same sentence. Sister Elizabeth Ann realizes old habits die hard –– especially since they’ve been together since before they were born.
Dr. O’Reilly feels blessed to have her sister as a spiritual role model.
“There was a period when I questioned my faith and didn’t go to Mass,” said Dr. O’Reilly. “But her faith is rock solid.”
Their faith was tested as their parents divorced when they were 16. Their brothers were 18 and 12. The two brothers drifted apart after leaving home but have recently become close to their sisters.
“My sister’s faith was incredible,” said Dr. O’Reilly. “Because of the strength of her faith, my faith was strengthened and it continues to grow.”
Sister Elizabeth Ann said she knows she can count on her sister for support and to always be there for her the way the sisters in her religious community are. She greatly admires her sister’s dedication to her vocation as a wife, mother and doctor.
“She gets up very early but is always so joyous in the sacrifices she makes for the people she loves,” said Sister Elizabeth Ann. “The love for her spouse and child makes me want to love Christ more and sacrifice joyfully.”
Sister Elizabeth Ann said her sister is also a good role model.
“One time I was watching Theresa all day and it was time for vespers,” Sister Elizabeth said. “I was tired and didn’t feel like it. But I remembered how my sister gives the sacrifice of time and I thought, ‘I want to be like that.’ It’s very concrete.”
“Except it doesn’t feel like sacrifice,” noted Dr. O’Reilly. “It’s a gift.”
The foundation for both women is God. Dr. O’Reilly likes working at a Catholic hospital because she can attend daily Mass and take time during the day for prayer in the chapel. She also has benefited from her sister’s wisdom, which comes from her deep spirituality.
“There are troubled times in life when only a sibling can understand,” Dr. O’Reilly said. “She’s very wise. It comes from prayer and faith. Any time I come to her with an issue she gives me the wisest advice.”
Sister Elizabeth Ann said her sibling supports her through prayer and by simply living her vocation.
“She’s a faithful reminder that in those moments when I’m tired, my sister is busy being a doctor, wife and mother,” said Sister Elizabeth Ann. “It makes it easier for me give of myself to my vocation.”
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/twins-share-similar-paths-to-different-vocations/
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/america-usa-twins-find-differents-paths.html
TODAY'S SAINT: ST. AILBE
St. Ailbe
BISHOP
Feast: September 12
Information: Feast Day: September 12
Bishop of Emly in Munster (Ireland); d. about 527, or 541. It is very difficult to sift out the germs of truth from among the mass of legends which have gathered round the life of this Irish saint. Beyond the fact, which is itself disputed, that he was a disciple of St. Patrick and was probably ordained priest by him, we know really nothing of the history of St. Ailbe. Legend says that in his infancy he was left in the forest to be devoured by the wolves, but that a she-wolf took compassion upon him and suckled him. Long afterwards, when Ailbe was bishop, an old she-wolf, pursued by a hunting party, fled to the Bishop and laid her head upon his breast. Ailbe protected his old foster-mother, and every day thereafter she and her little ones came to take their food in his hall. TheActs of St. Ailbe are quite untrustworthy; they represent Ailbe as preaching in Ireland before St. Patrick, but this is directly contradicted by St. Patrick's biographer, Tirechan. Probably the most authentic information we possess about Ailbe is that contained in Cuimmon's eulogium: Ailbe loved hospitality. The devotion was not untruthful. Never entered a body of clay one that was better as to food and raiment. His feast, which is 12 September, is kept throughout Ireland as a greater double.
http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/stailbe.asp
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/todays-saint-st-ailbe.html
TODAY'S MASS READINGS: 24TH SUN. IN ORDINARY TIME
Exodus 32: 7 - 11, 13 - 14
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7 And the LORD said to Moses, "Go down; for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves;
8 they have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them; they have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, `These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'"
9 And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people;
10 now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; but of you I will make a great nation."
11 But Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, "O LORD, why does thy wrath burn hot against thy people, whom thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou didst swear by thine own self, and didst say to them, `I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it for ever.'"
14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do to his people.
Psalms 51: 3 - 4, 12 - 13, 17, 19
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3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight, so that thou art justified in thy sentence and blameless in thy judgment.
12 Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit13 Then I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners will return to thee.
17 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
19 then wilt thou delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on thy altar.
Timothy 1: 12 - 17
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12 I thank him who has given me strength for this, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service,
13 though I formerly blasphemed and persecuted and insulted him; but I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,
14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners;
16 but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
17 To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Luke 15: 1 - 10
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1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."
3 So he told them this parable:
4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it?
5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.'
7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?
9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.'
10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/todays-mass-readings-24th-sun-in.html
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