TODAY'S SAINT: JULY 9: ST. VERONICA GIULIANI
VATICAN: POPE: DELEGATION TO SOUTH SUDAN AND APPOINTMENT
RADIO VATICANA REPORT:
As Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States, said yesterday when receiving a Sudanese parliamentary delegation led by Ahmed Ibrahim Elthair, president of the Sudanese National Assembly, peace, reconciliation and respect for universal rights (especially religious liberty) are the fundamental pillars upon which to construct the new socio-political circumstances of the region, and vital conditions in order to be able to look to a future of hope.
The Holy See, which has had stable diplomatic relations with the authorities of Khartoum since 1972 and will give due consideration to any request from the government of Southern Sudan, invites the international community to support Sudan and the new independent State so that, through frank, peaceful and constructive dialogue, they may find just and equitable solutions to outstanding questions; at the same time she expresses the hope that those peoples will enjoy a journey of peace, freedom and development.
The Holy Father Benedict XVI appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Malindi (Kenya) on Rev.do P.Barbara Emmanuel, OFM Cap, Provincial Minister of PP Capuchins in Malta and President of the European Capuchin.
Rev.do P. Barbara Emmanuel, OFM Cap
The Rev.do P. Barbara Emmanuel, OFM Cap, was born October 27, 1949, in Gzira Parish, Archdiocese of Malta. On 19 September 1965 he entered the novitiate, September 26, 1966 he made his first religious profession. After finishing his studies in Malta, was ordained deacon and priest August 5, 1973 July 20, 1974, the Co-Cathedral in Valletta in Malta.
After ordination he held the following positions: 1974-1976: Parochial Vicar San Gwann, Malta, 1976-1978: Studies for the Licentiate in Moral Theology at the ' Alfonsianum in Rome, 1976-1989: Teacher at INSERM (National Institutum Studiorum Ecclesiasticorum Religiosorum Melitensium ), Malta, 1978-1980: Chaplain to ' St. Luke Hospital in Malta, 1980-1983: Higher local Xemxija, Malta, 1981-1983: Rector of INSERM, Malta, 1983-1989: Provincial Minister, Malta, 1990-1996: Director of Training, Nairobi, Kenya, 1990 -1992: Keeper of the formation house in Lang'ata, Kenya, 1990-1992: Professor at College Tangaza, Nairobi, 1992-1994: Studies for a doctorate in moral theology in Rome at the 'Alfonsianum ; 1994-1999: Professor Tangaza the College, Nairobi, 1996-1999: First Vice-Provincial of Kenya, 1999-2008: professor of the Faculty of Moral Theology at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Nairobi since 2008: he returned to Malta where he the role of spiritual director in a secondary school, and at the same time religious educator of young foreigners in Malta, from 2010: Provincial Minister for the Province of Malta and also President of the European Conference Nasturtium (CENOC).
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The Pope has appointed His Eminence. Cardinal Francisco Robles Ortega, Archbishop of Monterrey, as his special envoy to the closing celebrations of the jubilee year in the 375 th anniversary of the discovery of the image of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles , Patroness of Costa Rica, taking place in Cartago August 2, 2011.
SOURCE: VATICAN.VA
AFRICA: SOUTH SUDAN: INDEPENDENCE- CONGRATULATIONS FROM BISHOPS
On behalf of the All Africa Conference of Churches and its president, His Grace Archbishop Valentine Mokiwa, and on my own behalf, I extend our hearty CONGRATULATIONS and salute you and the people of South Sudan on your achievement of Independence. We join you in your celebrations, and in praising God whose grace has enabled this great day to come to pass. The 9th of July 2011 represents the most precious gift the people of South Sudan could ever have. But it is also a costly gift, having been bought with millions of precious Sudanese lives. However, the fact that this day has dawned signifies that the blood of the martyrs was not shed in vain.
Your Excellency, yours is the longest journey to freedom in Africa, if not in the whole world. It is also the costliest with over 2.5 million Sudanese have been killed in the war of liberation. We are aware that it has taken no less than half a century of struggle, manifested in various ways, to arrive at this historic day when you officially proclaim your independence. This day is significant in many respects. It is a day of deep Remembrance. As you look back you, without doubt, recall the ups and downs, twists and turns which characterized the struggle on the long road to freedom. It is as well a day of Celebration. This day could not have come to fruition without the courage and determination of individual Sudanese who have contributed to this tremendous achievement. It is, still, a day
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of Reflection. As you celebrate those contributions you will also use this day to reflect on the challenges ahead and discern the next stages in the struggle. Above all, it is a Blessed day in that millions of Sudanese, young and old, women and men have lived to see this day of all days. It is a day that the Lord has made and so rejoice and be glad in it.
While you have realized political self-determination, a lot remains to be done to achieve economic and social emancipation. The new political dispensation that is ushered by the proclamation of independence also marks the beginning of the nation-building process. As in the process of the liberation struggle, nation-building as well will require sacrifices of individual and group self-interest and the concerted efforts of all South Sudanese. Your people constitute the most precious asset in nation-building. We believe that nation-building, including constitution making, will be successful if the process is inclusive and participatory. We are grateful for your commitment to continue to unite your people in concerted efforts, because nation-building is no less challenging than the liberation struggle itself. We are fully aware that this is a daunting task, but our confidence is that you, together as a people, all south Sudanese working together collectively, are more than equal to the task. Moreover, you have the tremendous goodwill of the rest of Africa, and the world. We at the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) want to assure you of our prayerful support and solidarity in this noble task of nation-building.
Your Excellency, you have attained your independence at an opportune moment compared to other African countries that went through liberation struggles similar to yours. We are aware that there were many false starts undertaken by a majority of African countries at the time of their independence. Many mistakes were made with gravious political, social and economic implications. It is still taking all of us a long time and enormous resources to correct those mistakes. The Republic of South Sudan should be in a position to learn from such mistakes, in order not to repeat them. We have no doubt that the African countries, in welcoming your independence, will be ready to share their experiences with you.
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We at the AACC are available to reflect together with the Sudanese churches on the mission and calling of the Church in the new country, the Republic of South Sudan. We will accompany the Sudanese churches as their partners in discerning the way forward in the search of the South Sudan the Sudanese want; in discerning the soul of the nation and the fundamental values that constitute the foundation of the society. We trust that in this way the churches will play their role in building a truly just, peaceful, prosperous and participatory society in which every human person will enjoy life in dignity. We have no illusions that this is a no easy task given that the protracted civil war has, in its wake, left deeply traumatized people in dire need of healing and reconciliation.
Once again, please accept our sincere congratulations. We pray that through God’s grace the 9th of July 2011 will be a day when peace will prevail in Juba and everywhere else in the new country.
Determined to continue to accompany you in facing new challenges, we paraphrase the prayerful theme of AACC next Assembly to take place in Kampala, Uganda in June 2013 and coinciding with the fiftieth anniversaries of the African Union and the All Africa Conference of Churches, “ God of life, lead Africa, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN, to Peace, Justice and Dignity”.
Cc: Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, Ecumenical Special Envoy to Sudan and our Representative in the independence celebration, and the Rev. Ramadan Chan, General Secretary of the Sudan Council of Churches
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SOURCEhttp://allafrica.com/stories/201107081534.html.
EUROPE: MALTA: 12 ORDINATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD IN CATHEDRAL
DIOCESE OF MALTA REPORT: On Sunday 3rd July, 2011, Archbishop Paul Cremona OP ordained 12 young men to the priesthood (5 diocesan and 7 from religious orders) during a celebration at St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta. The new priests are:
Fr Carmelo Aquilina O.F.M. Cap. 43 years old from Siggiewi, Franciscan Capuchin
Fr Stephen Attard, 26 years old from Mosta Parish
Fr Joseph Ciappara O.F.M. from Rabat, Friar Minor
Fr René Antoine Cilia, 25 years old from Qormi Parish (St George)
Fr Nicholas Dimech, 25 years old from Siggiewi Parish
Fr Andrew Galea O.F.M. Conv. 28 years old from Qormi (St Sebastian), Franciscan Conventual
Fr Stephen Magro, 25 years old from Zabbar Parish
Fr Gerald Mangion S.D.B. from Lija, Salesian
Fr Reno Muscat O.P. 46 years old from Qormi (St George), Dominican
Fr Colin Sammut O.F.M. Conv. from Qawra, Franciscan Conventual
Fr David Torpiano, 28 years old from Floriana Parish
Fr Jeremy Vella S.D.B. 30 years old from San Gwann, Salesian
ASIA: INDIA: ANTI-CHRISTIAN ATTACKS IN KARNATAKA
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New Delhi (AsiaNews) – Anti-Christian attacks continue in Karnataka. In Bangalore, the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) denounced the attack on Wednesday against Rev Bhaskar John Poojappa, a Pentecostal minister from the Holy Mountain of God, by some 20 Hindutva activists.“Fundamentalists dragged the pastor to the police station in Rajan Kunte, inventing stories about forced conversions,” said GCIC President Sajan K George. Following an intervention by the GCIC, the clergyman was released on bail.
On Monday, some 50 Hindus stormed the St Joseph's Convent School for Girls in Belgaum district. During their attack, they insulted teachers and management, and threatened to destroy the school. For Mgr Bernard Moras, archbishop of Bangalore, the act was “odious” and deserved condemnation.
Despite heavy pressures, the school had refused the application of two girls, daughters of friends of an important local leader with the ultranationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This sparked a violent reaction among local Hindu radicals.
The BJP leader, Basangouda Sidramani, came with an escort of 50 people, forced his way into the school where he began insulting nuns and teachers. During the incident, he threatened to destroy the entire facility if the girls were not admitted.
The attackers fled when police arrived after some parents and the school principal, Sister Thankam, called them.
There are more than 20,000 Catholics educational facilities in India, some 60 per cent in rural areas. About 6 million students attend their courses, but only 23 per cent is Catholic. The others come from all religious or caste backgrounds.
Female students represent 55 per cent of the overall student body in a country where girls are often denied even a primary education.
“People must know that the majority of the population has been the main beneficiary of ours educational facilities,” said Mgr Moras, a former archbishop of Belgaum and current president of the Karnataka Regional Catholic Bishops Conference (KRCBC)
“The situation is serious for two reasons. First, the attack was aimed at a school that never discriminated on the base of caste or creed. Second, the attackers went after nuns, women and girls, who were certainly weaker than them,” the prelate lamented.
AUSTRALIA: SISTER SPEAKS TO YOUTH ON HOLY SPIRIT
ARDIOCESE OF CANBERRA-GOULBURN REPORT: It is said by many that the Church is no longer relevant to young people, but after witnessing a Pentecost celebration in Narrabundah, Sr Kate Cleary MGL said such perceptions couldn’t be further from the truth.
“The church was aglow with the fire of the Spirit,” she said.
“Young people had decorated it beautifully and, as they congregated together to prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit, you could feel His delighted presence in their midst.”
The evening was hosted by the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community, with the St Benedict’s Eucharistic Centre, and led by Sr Amanda Kalauta MGL (pictured).
Sr Amanda challenged the congregation to go out and boldly proclaim the love of God.
As the night progressed, young consecrated people made their way around the room to minister to participants through prayer.
“This new wave of confident proclamation of the gospel and open and heartfelt prayer is a conspicuous feature of the revival in our Church,” Sr Kate said.
“These young Catholics are not ashamed of the gospel. They are not afraid to call on the Spirit with joyful and reverent confidence, at home in the immensity of God.”
AMERICA: COLOMBIA: PEACE MOVEMENT CELEBRATES 2OTH ANNIVERSARY
"Laicos por Colombia" is not an apostolic association or a political party, but a socio-political movement that has the charisma to evangelize the world of politics, according to the words of Gaudium et Spes: "It is the duty of Christians to adhere to a political choice as individuals and groups "(GS73). "Regarding free initiative, it is up to lay people, without waiting passively for orders and directives, to include the Christian spirit into the mentality and customs, in laws and structures of the communities in which they live" (Medellin 10-9).
Under the direction of Dr. Carlos Corsi Otalora, who was president of the National Council for the Laity, a member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity and the Executive Secretary of the Department of the Laity of Celam, the movement has participated in many events of city life for peace and defense of life. Recently it has supported the campaign in favor of marriage according to the teaching of the Catholic Church.
TODAY'S SAINT: JULY 9: ST. VERONICA GIULIANI
St. Veronica Giuliani
CAPUCHIN MYSTIC
Feast: July 9
| Born at Mercatello in the Duchy of Urbino, Italy, 1660; died at Citt' di Castello, 9 July, 1727. Her parents, Francesco Giuliana and Benedetta Mancini, were both of gentle birth. In baptism she was named Ursula, and showed marvelous signs of sanctity. When but eighteen months old she uttered her first words to upbraid a shopman who was serving a false measure of oil, saying distinctly: "Do justice, God sees you." At the age of three years she began to be favoured with Divine communications, and to show great compassion for the poor. She would set apart a portion of her food for them, and even part with her clothes when she met a poor child scantily clad. These traits and a great love for the Cross developed as she grew older. When others did not readily join in her religious practices she was inclined to be dictatorial. In her sixteenth year this imperfection of character was brought home to her in a vision in which she saw her own heart as a heart of steel. In her writings she confesses that she took a certain pleasure in the more stately circumstances which her family adopted when her father was appointed superintendent of finance at Piacenza. But this did not in any way affect her early-formed resolution to dedicate herself to religion, although her father urged her to marry and procured for her several suitors as soon as she became of marriageable age. Owing to her father's opposition to her desire to enter a convent, Veronica fell ill and only recovered when he gave his consent. In 1677 she was received into the convent of the Capuchin Poor Clares in Citt' di Castello, taking the name of Veronica in memory of the Passion. At the conclusion of the ceremony of her reception the bishop said to the abbess: "I commend this new daughter to your special care, for she will one day be a great saint." She became absolutely submissive to the will of her directors, though her novitiate was marked by extraordinary interior trials and temptations to return to the world. At her profession in 1678 she conceived a great desire to suffer in union with our Saviour crucified for the conversion of sinners. About this time she had a vision of Christ bearing His cross and henceforth suffered an acute physical pain in her heart. After her death the figure of the cross was found impressed upon her heart. In 1693 she entered upon a new phase in her spiritual life, when she had a vision of the chalice symbolizing the Divine Passion which was to be re-enacted in her own soul. At first she shrank from accepting it and only be great effort eventually submitted. She then began to endure intense spiritual suffering. In 1694 she received the impression of the Crown of Thorns, the wounds being visible and the pain permanent. By order of the bishop she submitted to medical treatment, but obtained no relief. Yet, although she lived in this supernaturally mystical life, she was a practical woman of affairs. For thirty-four years she was novice-mistress, and guided the novices with great prudence. It is noticeable that she would not allow them to read mystical books. In 1716 she was elected abbess and whilst holding that office enlarged the convent and had a good system of water-pipes laid down, the convent hitherto having been without a proper water supply. She was canonized by Gregory XVI in 1839. She is usually represented crowned with thorns and embracing the Cross. |
SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/V/stveronicagiuliani.asp#ixzz1RbmSZIZn
TODAY'S GOSPEL: JULY 9: Matthew 10: 24- 33
| Matthew 10: 24 - 33 | |
| 24 | "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; |
| 25 | it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Be-el'zebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. |
| 26 | "So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. |
| 27 | What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. |
| 28 | And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. |
| 29 | Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. |
| 30 | But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. |
| 31 | Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. |
| 32 | So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; |
| 33 | but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. |
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