CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: MON. SEPT. 6, 2010: HEADLINES-
VATICAN: POPE ON LEO XIII AND MESSAGE FOR YOUTH-
AMERICA: USA MOTHER TERESA STAMP UNVEILED IN BASILICA-
AFRICA: ANGOLA: PRIESTS CALLS ON YOUTH TO HAVE JESUS AS AN EXAMPLE-
NEW ZEALAND: LARGE EARTH QUAKE DAMAGES CHURCHES-
ASIA: INDIA: PROFESSOR WHOSE HAND WAS CUT OFF FOR BLASPHEMY IS FIRED-
EUROPE: ENGLAND GOSPEL CHOIR CONVENT SCHOOL TO SING FOR POPE-
VATICAN: BENEDICT XVI RECALLS LEO XIII ON BICENTENARY OF HIS BIRTH
VATICAN CITY, 5 SEP 2010 (VIS) - This morning Benedict XVI made a pastoral visit to Carpineto Romano, a small town located eighty kilometres north of Rome, to mark the bicentenary of the birth of Vincenzo Gioacchino Pecci, a native of Carpineto who later became Pope Leo XIII.
The Holy Father celebrated Mass in the town's main square in the presence of several thousand faithful. In his homily he commented on today's Gospel readings, which concern the primacy of God and of Christ. In this context he noted that Leo XIII "was a man of great faith and profound devotion. This remains the basis of everything, for all Christians including the Pope", he said, "without prayer; that is, without the inner union with God, we can do nothing, as Jesus made clear to His disciples during the Last Supper".
"Absolutely nothing comes before the love of God and of Christ. And Vincenzo Gioacchino Pecci absorbed this primary and principal quality here, in his hometown, from his parents and from his parish", said the Pope.
He then highlighted "another aspect deriving from the primacy of God and Christ, which is to be found in the public activity of all pastors of the Church particularly the Supreme Pontiff, each with the characteristics specific to his own personality. ... All pastors are called to transmit to the People of God not abstract truths but a 'wisdom'; in other words, a message that unites faith and life, truth and tangible reality. Pope Leo XIII, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, was able to do this in one of the most difficult historical periods for the Church, remaining faithful to tradition while, at the same time, measuring himself against the great questions of his day".
Leo XIII's social Magisterium was made famous "by his 1891 Encyclical 'Rerum novarum', but it was also rich in many other contributions which together make an organic corpus, the first nucleus of Church social doctrine", said Pope Benedict.
In this context he also mentioned the 1890 Encyclical "Catholicae Ecclesiae" on the subject of slavery. "The new Christian fraternity overcame the separation between slaves and freemen, introducing into history the principle of human promotion which would lead to the abolition of slavery, but also to overcoming barriers that still exist today".
On the subject of the "human promotion which Christianity brought to the progress of civilisation", the Pope highlighted how "Christians, acting as individual citizens or in associations, represent a beneficial and peaceful force for profound change, favouring the development of potentials inherent to reality itself. This is the form of presence and activity in the world suggested by Church social doctrine which always aims at maturity of conscience as a condition for valid and lasting transformation".
"During a period of harsh anticlericalism and virulent demonstrations against the Pope, Leo XIII was able to guide and support Catholics along the path of constructive participation, rich in content, firm in its principles yet capable of openness. The immediate wake of the publication of 'Rerum novarum' was followed, in Italy and other countries, by a veritable explosion of initiatives: associations, savings societies for rural workers and artisans, newspapers, etc. ... Thus, a very old but wise and farsighted Pope was able to steer a rejuvenated Church into the twentieth century, with an attitude appropriate to facing new challenges. He was a Pope still politically and physically 'prisoner' of the Vatican but in reality, with his Magisterium, he represented a Church capable of facing, without too many complexes, the great questions of the modern age".
The Holy Father concluded by expressing "the old but ever new commandment to love one another as Christ lived us, and with this love to be salt and light of the world. Thus will you be faithful to the heritage of your great and venerated fellow citizen, Pope Leo XIII. And thus may it be for the whole the Church!"
At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the Pope returned by helicopter to the Apostolic Palace at Castelgandolfo for the Angelus prayer.
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 4 SEP 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Msgr. Giorgio Lingua, nunciature counsellor, as apostolic nuncio to Jordan and to Iraq, at the same time elevating him to the dignity of archbishop. The archbishop-elect was born in Fossano, Italy in 1960 and ordained a priest in 1984.
ANGELUS: POPE EXPLAINS HIS MESSAGE FOR WORLD YOUTH DAY
VATICAN CITY, 5 SEP 2010 (VIS) - Having returned from his pastoral visit to the Italian town of Carpineto Romano, at midday today the Holy Father appeared at the balcony overlooking the inner courtyard of the Apostolic Palace at Castelgandolfo to pray the Angelus with faithful gathered there.
Before the Marian prayer, Benedict XVI made brief mention of his recently-published Message for the twenty-sixth World Youth Day, due to be celebrated in Madrid, Spain, in August 2011.
The Pope highlighted how the title of the Message comes from a phrase in St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians: "Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith". This, he observed, "is something which runs decisively against the tide. Who nowadays suggests that young people should be 'planted' and 'firm'? On the contrary, uncertainty, mobility and volubility are exalted; all aspects which reflect a culture hesitant over its fundamental values, the basic principles by which to orient and regulate life".
The Pope went on: "I myself, through my own experience and through my contacts with young people, am well aware that each generation - indeed, each individual - is called to discover the meaning of life anew. It is for this reason that I wished to offer a message which, following the style of the Bible, evokes the image of the tree and the house. Young people, indeed, are like growing trees: in order to develop correctly they need deep roots which, when storms blow, keep them firmly rooted to the ground. In the same way, the image of a building in construction recalls the need for proper foundations, in order for the house to be solid and secure".
The Pope highlighted how the words "in Jesus Christ" and "in the faith" represent the heart of his Message. "The full maturity and inner stability of the person", he said, "have their foundation in the relationship with God, a relationship which passes through the encounter with Jesus Christ. A relationship of profound trust and authentic friendship with Jesus is capable of giving young people what they need to face life well: serenity and inner light, the attitude of positive thinking, generosity of spirit towards others, and a readiness to be personally responsible for goodness, justice and truth".
Finally the Holy Father noted how, in becoming believers, young people are "supported by the faith of the Church. If no man is an island", he said, "then this is especially true of Christians who discover in the Church the beauty of a faith shared and witnessed with others in fraternity and the service of charity".
AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, 6 SEP 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences six prelates from the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Marco Eugenio Galrao Leita de Almeida of Estancia.
- Bishop Guerrino Riccardo Brusati of Caetite, accompanied by Bishop emeritus Antonio Alberto Guimaraes Rezende C.S.S.
- Bishop Cristiano Jakob Krapf of Jequie.
- Archbishop Itamar Vian O.F.M. Cap. of Feira de Santana.
- Bishop Luiz Flavio Cappio O.F.M. of Barra.
On Saturday 4 September he received in separate audiences:
- Four prelates from the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Mario Rino Sivieri of Propria.
- Archbishop Luis Gonzaga Silva Pepeu O.F.M. Cap. of Victoria da Conquista.
- Bishop Jose Valmor Cesar Teixeira S.D.B. of Bom Jesus da Lapa.
- Bishop Armando Bucciol of Livramento de Nossa Senhora.
- Kagefumi Ueno, ambassador of Japan on his farewell visit.
- Francesco Kim Ji-Young, ambassador of Korea on his farewell visit.
- Janos Balassa, ambassador of Hungary on his farewell visit.
-Archbishop Celestino Migliore, apostolic nuncio to Poland.
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/vatican-pope-on-leo-xiii-and-message.html
AMERICA: USA MOTHER TERESA STAMP UNVEILED IN BASILICA
On September 5 at 8 pm a special Mass and Ceremony was held for the release of the USPS Stamp of Blessed Mother Teresa from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C.
Mother Teresa to be Honored on U.S. Postage Stamp
Attendees of the ceremony: James H. Bilbray, member, Board of Governors, U.S. Postal Service
John E. Potter, postmaster general and chief executive officer, U.S. Postal Service
Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio of the United States
The Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout, auxiliary bishop, Washington, D.C.
Reverend Monsignor Walter R. Rossi, rector, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Sister Leticia, provincial superior, Missionaries of Charity
Mitzi Betman, vice president, Corporate Communications, U.S. Postal Service
The stamp features a portrait of Mother Teresa painted by award-winning artist Thomas Blackshear II of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
edited from: http://www.cathnewsasia.com/2010/09/06/video-blessed-mother-teresa-usps-stamp/
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/america-usa-mother-teresa-stamp.html
AFRICA: ANGOLA: PRIESTS CALLS ON YOUTH TO HAVE JESUS AS AN EXAMPLE
All Africa report: Catholic priest Paulino Canjengo on Sunday at Nossa Senhora do Monte Shrine, Caála District, in the central Huambo Province, called on young people to cultivate humility and contribute to the preservation of peace.
The prelate said so at the closing ceremony of the juvenile religious pilgrimage held on 03-05 September, at Nossa Senhora do Monte shrine, which was attended by 2.500 youths from several parishes of Huambo Archdiocese.
Paulino Canjengo, who is also the rector of the mentioned shrine, also called on young people to be more responsible and exemplary in their conduct, thus promoting human values and standing up against domestic violence in society.
"To love is to see sense in life in all circumstances", said the Catholic priest at the mass that marked the end of the pilgrimage.According to the prelate, humility has to be cultivated particularly by the religious youth, who should have Jesus Christ as their example, who died to redeem man from sin.
Priest Paulino Canjengo equally appealed to young people to give up alcohol, arrogance, petulance, polygamy and polyandry, aiming at edifying a harmonious society, where citizens have the responsibility of protecting human rights for the wellbeing of all.
"In our lives we need to have a communion with God and feed the soul with the word of the Supreme Creator" emphasised the priest.
The prelate also stressed that human wisdom should not be used to manipulate or confuse the people, but to establish a social relationship filled with charity and justice.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201009060652.html
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/africa-angola-priests-calls-on-youth-to.html
NEW ZEALAND: LARGE EARTH QUAKE DAMAGES CHURCHES
"The earthquake seems to have hit central Christchurch particularly hard, and extensive damage has been inflicted on heritage buildings and those of brick construction," said a report on the Society of Mary, New Zealand website.
"The Marist parish community in central Christchurch, Manchester Street is probably the luckiest Marist community to escape with what seems only minor damage. The 105-year-old brick building has not been earthquake strengthened."
Parish Priest, Carl Telford, said of the earthquake" "It felt like the presbytery was going to break in half". The only damage to the Church seems to have been that the Baptismal font fell over. "Nonetheless, things will still need to be assessed", he said.
Damages were also reported from members of the community elsewhere in Christchurch, including a collapsed Sanctuary and damage to a school.
Older buildings in the city have suffered, said a separate report on stuff.co.nz from The Press.
Christchurch's iconic Anglican Cathedral in Cathedral Square and the Catholic Basilica in Barbadoes Street escaped relatively unscathed, but many of Christchurch's and Canterbury's character commercial buildings, which many regard as giving the city its soul, were badly hit and many of the region's smaller historic churches and grandest old homes have been devastated.
Former Christchurch City councillor and current member of the Historic Places Trust Board Anna Crighton said the earthquake had been ''unbelievably destructive''.
''What broke my heart was to see the facade of the 1882 Oxford Terrace Baptist church, the pedament and tableture, just split like paper and I can't see how that is going to be restored.''
''I worry for the heritage of the city because the whole character of the city and the what is Christcurch is articulated by those lovely little buildings as well as the big ones,'' she said.
Monsignor Charles Drennan said the damage to the Catholic basilica could have been a lot worse.
''There's considerable window pane damage but thankfully not the stained glass.''
Mortar and plaster had broken free but the ceiling of the nave seemed to be untouched. New cracks had appeared and these would have to be assessed before the Cathedral could open, he said.
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=23156
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/new-zealand-large-earth-quake-damages.html
ASIA: INDIA: PROFESSOR WHOSE HAND WAS CUT OFF FOR BLASPHEMY IS FIRED
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Ernakulam (AsiaNews) - Dismissed without a pension; that is the fate of Professor TJ Joseph, who was accused of blasphemy for a text on Mohammed and whose hand was cut off last July 4 by unknown assailants. The administration of Newman College, announced the measure, which was not directly related to accusations of blasphemy by Muslim brought against the teacher by Popular Front of India extremists.
According to the official announcement, the dismissal takes effect from 1 September and is derived "from having offended the religious sentiments of students”. There has been no protest by Christian institutions in the country, despite them having joined forces three days ago to condemn the proposal of an American evangelical pastor who wanted to celebrate 9 / 11 by burning the Koran. Informed of the decision, the professor said: "This is another unexpected blow to me and my family. However I have not thought about legal action against the college. His sister, Sister Mary Stella, tells AsiaNews: "The letter was sent to us by a messenger. I had to open it, because my brother is still in serious condition. He asked me to reread it twice; he could not believe the last paragraph which emphasizes that along with the dismissal he will also be stripped of all benefits and his pension. No one would ever expect such a hard decision. "
The nun says that, in the educational system of the state, "there are 7 different types of disciplinary punishments. They chose the hardest against my brother, no pension, no benefits, no nothing. As if he had never worked. It is very sad, because he spent a lifetime in education, at least 25 years. However, after having prayed together, he said that like Job, God gives and God takes away. But His name must always be glorified. "
"We forgive college - she adds - as we forgive those who cut off his hand. He has also received much support from civil society and his own colleagues: This dismissal has sparked more solidarity than the hand cutting. Today is the feast of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, and the Day of teachers in India: my brother reminded me how the Blessed was also a great teacher, who served the poor by giving them love and dignity. The Mother is a source of great consolation and hope for Professor Joseph”.
The teacher has told some visitors that he looks at his situation with optimism: "It is certainly Mother Teresa who has given him courage, love of God in his hearts and in our lives. There is a mission behind these incidents, the cutting off of his hand and dismissal. We were supported and nourished by love of God through Mother Teresa. My brother feels called to be an instrument of understanding, peace and tolerance in the dialogue between Christians and Muslims. In Kerala and around the world. "
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Kerala,-blasphemer-professor,-who-had-his-hand-cut-off,-is-fired-19383.html
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/asia-india-professor-whose-hand-was-cut.html
EUROPE: ENGLAND GOSPEL CHOIR CONVENT SCHOOL TO SING FOR POPE
The Maria Fidelis Convent School Gospel Choir, this year’s winners of BBC Songs of Praise Senior Choir of the Year 2010, have been chosen to sing at The Big Assembly, the education event being held as part of the forthcoming state visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
“Earlier in the year, in preparation for Songs of Praise we took the choir to see the West End production of Sister Act. As we know, the show finishes with the choir singing for the Pope and as we left the theatre I half-jokingly said this would be us when the Holy Father visited in September, never knowing this would become a reality!”, said Lyn Newell, choir manager and Assistant Headteacher.
“It is a great honour to have been chosen to sing at the Big Assembly and as the date draws near we are starting to realise the huge responsibility we have accepted. We feel that we are representing all young people, not just ourselves and we hope that everyone will see in us just what young people can achieve through faith, hard work and having high aspirations.” The choir, led by conductor Karen Gibson, will sing from its repertoire and together with Holy Rosary and St Anne’s Primary School, Leeds, lead the assembly in the hymns and congregational singing.
The Big Assembly, organised by the Catholic Education Service of England and Wales, is being held at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham and will be attended by young people from schools and colleges throughout the UK. There will be wide media coverage and an expected worldwide audience.
Since winning Songs of Praise, Maria Fidelis Convent School Gospel Choir has sung for a number of businesses and choral events and they have recently sung as a guest choir at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. The choir will feature in a special Songs of Praise programme recorded for the Papal visit which will be shown on BBC1 on Sunday 12th September 2010.
They will also sing on Premier Radio in the morning.
“The girls are very excited. They have been working hard at rehearsals and feel very privileged to have been chosen to represent the talent of young people in Catholic secondary schools and to demonstrate the many positive achievements of our young people.”
http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=16663
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/europe-england-gospel-choir-convent.html
TODAY'S SAINT: ST. DONATIAN
St. Donatian
MARTYR
Feast: September 6
Information: Feast Day: September 6
Martyr with Fusculus, Germanus, Laetus, Mansuetus, and Praesidius, duing the severe persecution of the orthodox Church in Africa by the Arian Vandals. All of the martyrs were bishops of northern Africa. Their martyrdom was precipitated by their opposition to the closing of churches by the Arian King Hunneric of the Vandals (r. 477-484). After being tortured, these bishops were abandoned in a desert, where they died of exposure. Laetus was burned to death.
http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/D/stdonatian.asp
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/todays-saint-st-donatian.html
TODAY'S GOSPEL: MON. SEPT. 6: Matthew 6: 31 - 34
Matthew 6: 31 - 34
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31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?'
32 For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.
34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day.
http://jceworld.blogspot.com/2010/09/todays-gospel-mon-sept-6-matthew-6-31.html
