Radio Vaticana report: Speaking during his Angelus prayer at the Papal Summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict said on Sunday that the parable of the rich man and Lazarus tells us that God loves the poor and raises them from humiliation and that our eternal destiny is determined by our behaviour. He said it is up to us to follow the path God has shown us to come to life, and this path is love.As part of his reflection on service to others, the Pope recalled that Monday is the feast of St. Vincent de Paul, a priest whom he said 350 years ago in France knew how to organize stable forms of service to marginalized people. The Pope then recalled that Chiara Badano was beatified on Saturday. She was an Italian girl born in 1971 who belonged to the Focolare Movement. She died of cancer less than 19 years later. The Pope said the young woman was a ray of light for all, as is revealed by her nickname: Chiara Luce, or Clear Light.At the end of his remarks the Pope gave his final “arrivederci” to the people of Castel Gandolfo – he returns to the Vatican on Thursday.
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=425575.asp?c=425575
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AFRICA: SUDAN: MEETING TO BRING PEACE
ALL AFRICA REPORT: World leaders and high-ranking officials meeting at the United Nations today renewed their support for the parties to the 2005 peace accord that ended Sudan's north-south civil
war as they embark on the critical final phase of the agreement - the upcoming referenda on the self-determination of southern Sudan and the central region of Abyei.Inhabitants of the south will vote on 9 January next year on whether to secede from Sudan or remain united with the rest of the country, as stipulated under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which formally ended two decades of fighting between the northern-based Government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in the south.At the same time, residents of the central area of Abyei will vote separately on whether to retain the region's special administrative status in the north or become part of Bahr el-Ghazal state in the south.At a high-level meeting on Sudan, convened by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the margins of the annual general debate of the General Assembly, delegations renewed their commitment to peace in the country.IRIN/Peter MartellSudanese supporters of the south's SPLM party wave the southern flag."The participants voiced strong support to both CPA parties and confirmed their commitment to respect the outcome of credible referenda and to assist the Sudanese achieve sustainable peace throughout Sudan in the post-referenda period," stated a communiqué issued at the conclusion of the meeting."They noted the delays in the preparations for the referenda and called for the urgent establishment of the Abyei Referendum Commission and for the acceleration of the work of the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission," it added.In addition, delegations welcomed the commitment of the parties to quickly resolve critical post-referenda arrangements - including border management, security, citizenship, migration issues, debts, assets and natural resources - while also putting in place a framework to resolve all outstanding CPA-related issues in a peaceful, mutually beneficial manner.Opening the meeting, which was attended by Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Taha and First Vice-President Salva Kiir Mayardit as well as a host of other dignitaries, Mr. Ban said Sudan's leaders and people face "critical, difficult" questions about their future."The stakes are high, for Sudan, for Africa, for the international community," he said. "The Sudanese people cannot afford a resumption of conflict. We must all assist them in finding a peaceful way through one of the most important passages in their country's history."The Secretary-General noted that the issues facing Sudan cannot be addressed in isolation but must be considered together as part of an overall vision for the country, with a focus on the rights and aspirations of all of its citizens.While the parties have implemented many of the key CPA provisions without a return to serious conflict, the most important challenges are now less than four months away, he said, referring to the referenda."The international community has clear expectations for this process," Mr. Ban told the gathering. "We expect the referenda to be peaceful, carried out in an environment free of intimidation or other infringements of rights. We expect both parties to accept the results, and to plan for the consequences."And finally, we expect the parties to adhere to the CPA, without unilateral acts on either side, North or South."The Secretary-General also stressed the need to continue working towards a comprehensive solution to the conflict in the strife-torn region of Darfur, where he noted the security situation remains a "grave concern," particularly as it affects civilians and internally displaced persons (IDPs).http://allafrica.com/stories/201009250002.html
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Agenzia Fides REPORT – Missions Office Director says: “We need to promote new forms of missionary apostolate according to the signs of the times.”During their Plenary Assembly which was held September 20 to 23 in Fulda, the German bishops outlined an initial assessment of the work of the new Office for the Missions based in Erfurt (Germany), which started its activities a few months ago, at the beginning of 2010 (see Fides 14/01/2010). In an interview published on the website of the German Bishops' Conference (Deutsche Bischofskonferenz, DBK) "katholisch.de,” the Director of the new office, Hubertus Schönemann, talks about the new tasks of the missionary ministry in a rapidly changing world.By definition, his office deals with "the promotion and development of the Church's witness in this world,” which Schönemann calls "a long-term goal that cannot be achieved in a few months, as we address central questions such as the identity of the Church and the pastoral care needed for today and tomorrow."As a priority, in order to effectively carry out his task, Schönemann says, "we need to meet and develop communication in the areas of evangelization and the missionary apostolate. We also try to understand the current trends in today's society... promoting and supporting new forms of missionary apostolate according to the 'signs of the times,' as the Second Vatican Council calls them."In speaking of the role of the Internet for pastoral care, Schönemann highlights the fact that “the Internet is the medium that is most important in the post-modern era and it will become increasingly more important. With our office, we want to encourage and support the dioceses and religious orders in becoming more familiar with this tool. There are already many interesting things from the Church available today on the Internet."Finally, Schönemann speaks of the German Bishops' role in missionary apostolate: "The fact that they are addressing this topic during their General Assembly shows that the bishops find it to be of great importance. It is important that the Church be fearless in keeping up with current developments in order to respond to her missionary calling in the future, as well. In the long term, the aim must be the promotion of renewed forms of pastoral work in the Church, to bear witness to the Gospel of God, who through Jesus Christ has drawn near to mankind, turning His gaze towards the men and women of today." http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=27486&lan=eng
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INDIA: CHURCH SETS UP A HOTLINE FOR REPORTING VIOLENCE
UCAN REPORT;Church officials in Madhya Pradesh state have set up a hotline for people to report incidents of sectarian violence ahead of a court verdict on a controversial religious site.“People will just have to call the helpline and tell us what is going on,” said Fath
er Anand Muttungal, who is in charge of the service. “We will in turn inform the police about the happenings.”The Allahabad High Court in neighboring Uttar Pradesh state was to pronounce its verdict on Sept. 24 on the ownership of a plot of land in the state’s Ayodhya town, where a disputed 16th-century mosque stood.The Supreme Court yesterday deferred the judgment by one week.Hindu zealots demolished the mosque in December 1992, claiming that Muslim ruler Babur had demolished a Hindu temple there in order to build the mosque. The demolition sparked off nation-wide Hindu-Muslim riots. Protracted legal battles continued over the ownership of the land.As part of security arrangements, the federal government banned sending mass text and multimedia messages in the country. In the past some groups have used such means to mobilize crowds for riots.Madhya Pradesh, which has several areas that are prone to sectarian violence, has stepped up security, including night-time police patrolling.State Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan also issued special instructions to his officials and ministers to maintain “law and order at all costs.”Father Muttungal along with leaders of other religious and secular organizations also met Chauhan to discuss the matter.
http://www.ucanews.com/2010/09/24/church-sets-up-sectarian-violence-hotline/
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AMERICA: USA: ARCHBISHOP WUERL TO HELP BRING ANGLICANS TO CHURCH
USCCB REPORT:Doctrine Of The Faith Congregation Names Archbishop Wuerl To Guide Bringing Anglican Groups Into Catholic Churc
h In U.S.WASHINGTON(September 23, 2010)—The Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) has named Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington to guide the incorporation of Anglican groups into the Catholic Church in the United States. In this position, he is a delegate of the congregation and heads the U.S. bishops’ ad hoc committee charged with assisting CDF in implementing the apostolic constitution Anglicanorum coetibus. Pope Benedict XVI issued the document in November 2009 to provide for establishing personal ordinariates for Anglican groups who seek to enter corporately into full communion with the Catholic Church. The personal ordinariate is a canonical structure similar to a diocese that covers the area of a bishops’ conference. This permits the incoming Anglicans to be part of the Catholic Church while maintaining aspects of their Anglican heritage and liturgical practice. Other members of the ad hoc committee are Bishop Kevin Vann of Fort Worth, Texas, and Bishop Robert McManus of Worcester, Massachusetts. The committee will be assisted by Father Scott Hurd, who was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1993, joined the Catholic Church in 1996, and was ordained a Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Washington in 2000. Father Hurd will assist Archbishop Wuerl as staff to the ad hoc committee and a liaison to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Interested Anglicans are asked to contact Archbishop Wuerl through the Washington Archdiocese. The ad hoc committee has two tasks:To facilitate the implementation of Anglicanorum coetibus in the United StatesTo assess the level of interest in such an ordinariate in the United States.http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-166.shtml
IMAGE http://blog.beliefnet.com/pontifications/imgs/Donald%20Wuerl.jpg
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AUSTRALIA: PRAYERFUL PROTESTS AT ART EXHIBIT
Cath News report: A local councillor has joined the protests at artist Rodney Pople's Bellini 21c exhibition at the Australian Galleries in Sydney's Paddington.About 20 protesters held a three-hour prayer session outside the gallery before the exhibition launch last Tuesday and about 40 held a demonstration last S
aturday, the Wentworth Courier reported.Some read passages from the Bible while others held placards with messages including "You should be ashamed" and "Be warned, God will not be mocked".Woollhara councillor Peter Cavanagh said he was appalled by the "disgusting exhibition" and that he had been inundated with letters of complaint.He admitted that he had not seen the exhibition, but had explored all avenues to have it shut down.The artist, Pople, said he was "all for the protesters making their point" but described Cr Cavanagh's comments as "illiterate"."I would have expected a higher level of intelligence from a Woollahra councillor and a higher understanding of the freedom of expression," Pople said.
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=23426
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TODAY'S SAINT: STS. COSMAS AND DAMIAN
Sts. Cosmas and DamianMARTYRSFeast: September 26Information:Feast Day:September 26Born:3rd century AD, ArabiaDied:287 AD, Aegea, Roman province of SyriaMajor Shrin
e:Convent of the Poor Clares in Madrid, Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian in Bitonto, Bari, ItalyPatron of:surgeons, physicians, dentists, protectors of children, barbers, pharmacists, veterinarians, orphanages, day-care centers, confectioners, children in house, against hernia, against the plague.Early Christian physicians and martyrs whose feast is celebrated on 27 September. They were twins, born in Arabia, and practised the art of healing in the seaport Ægea, now Ayash (Ajass), on the Gulf of Iskanderun in Cilicia, Asia Minor, and attained a great reputation. They accepted no pay for their services and were, therefore, called anargyroi, "the silverless". In this way they brought many to the Catholic Faith. When the Diocletian persecution began, the Prefect Lysias had Cosmas and Damian arrested, and ordered them to recant. They remained constant under torture, in a miraculous manner suffered no injury from water, fire, air, nor on the cross, and were finally beheaded with the sword. Their three brothers, Anthimus, Leontius, and Euprepius died as martyrs with them. The execution took place 27 September, probably in the year 287. At a later date a number of fables grew up about them, connected in part with their relics. The remains of the martyrs were buried in the city of Cyrus in Syria; the Emperor Justinian I (527-565) sumptuously restored the city in their honour. Having been cured of a dangerous illness by the intercession of Cosmas and Damian, Justinian, in gratitude for their aid, rebuilt and adorned their church at Constantinople, and it became a celebrated place of pilgrimage. At Rome Pope Felix IV (526-530) erected a church in their honour, the mosaics of which are still among the most valuable art remains of the city. The Greek Church celebrates the feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian on 1 July, 17 October, and 1 November, and venerates three pairs of saints of the same name and profession. Cosmas and Damian are regarded as the patrons of physicians and surgeons and are sometimes represented with medical emblems. They are invoked in the Canon of the Mass and in the Litany of the Saints.
SOURCE http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/C/stcosmas_damian.asp
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TODAY'S MASS READINGS: 26TH SUN. ORDINARY TIME YEAR C
Amos 6: 1, 4 - 71"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Sama'ria, the notable men of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel come!4"Woe to those who lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the midst of the stall;5who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp, and like David invent for themselves instruments of music;6who drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!7Therefore they shall now be the first of those to go into exile, and the revelry of those who stretch themselves shall pass away."
Psalms 146: 7 - 107who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free;8the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.9The LORD watches over the sojourners, he upholds the widow and the fatherless; but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.10The LORD will reign for ever, thy God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD! -
1 Timothy 6: 11 - 1611But as for you, man of God, shun all this; aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.12Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.13In the presence of God who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,14I charge you to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ;15and this will be made manifest at the proper time by the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,16who alone has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
Luke 16: 19 - 3119"There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.20And at his gate lay a poor man named Laz'arus, full of sores,21who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.22The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried;23and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Laz'arus in his bosom.24And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Laz'arus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.'25But Abraham said, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Laz'arus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.'27And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house,28for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.'29But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.'30And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'31He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"
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