ASIA: CHINA: UNDERGROUND CHURCH LEADERS DETAINED- PRAYERS FOR FREEDOM
AFRICA: LIBYA: BISHOP CALLS FOR PRAYERS FOR PEACEFUL END TO CONFLICT
AUSTRALIA: ORGANISATIONS CALL FOR HELP FOR CHILD REFUGEES
EUROPE: ENGLAND: 300 CONVENT GIRLS PERFORM SOUND OF MUSIC
AMERICA: CANADA: BISHOPS' CONDOLENCES ON DEATH OF JACK LAYTON
TODAY'S SAINT: AUG. 23: ST. ROSE OF LIMA
TODAY'S GOSPEL: AUG. 23: Matthew 23: 23- 26
(September 22-25, 2011)
Live broadcasting from CTV
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Welcoming ceremony at Bellevue Castle (Berlin, 22 September 2011)
[English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] (IMAGE SOURCE: RADIO VATICANA)
Visit to the Federal Parliament in the Reichstag Building (Berlin, 22 September 2011)
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Meeting with representatives of the Jewish community in a room of the Reichstag Building (Berlin, 22 September 2011)
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Holy Mass at the Olympiastadion (Berlin, 22 September 2011)
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Meeting with representatives of the Muslim community in the reception room of the Apostolic Nunciature of Berlin (September 23, 2011)
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Meeting with representatives of the German Evangelical Church Council in the Chapter Hall of the Augustinian Convent (Erfurt, 23 September 2011)
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Ecumenical Celebration in the church of the Augustinian Convent (Erfurt, 23 September 2011)
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Marian Vespers at the Wallfahrtskapelle (Etzelsbach, 23 September 2011)
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Holy Mass at Domplatz (Erfurt, 24 September 2011)
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Greetings to the citizens gathered at Münsterplatz (Freiburg im Breisgau, 24 September 2011)
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Meeting with representatives of the Orthodox Churches in the Seminary Hörsaal (Freiburg im Breisgau, 24 September 2011)
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Meeting with seminarians at St Charles Borromeo Seminary Chapel (Freiburg im Breisgau, 24 September 2011)
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Meeting with the Council of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZDK) in the Seminary Hörsaal(Freiburg im Breisgau, 24 September 2011)
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Prayer vigil with the young people at the trade fair grounds of Freiburg im Breisgau (September 24, 2011)
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Holy Mass celebrated in the touristic airport of Freiburg im Breisgau (September 25, 2011)
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Recitation of the Angelus Domini in the touristic airport of Freiburg im Breisgau (September 25, 2011)
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Meeting with a group of Catholics active in the Church and society gathered in the Konzerthaus (Freiburg im Breisgau, 25 September 2011)
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Farewell ceremony at Lahr Airport (September 25, 2011)
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ASIA: CHINA: UNDERGROUND CHURCH LEADERS DETAINED- PRAYERS FOR FREEDOM
Security officials have detained a number of underground Church leaders from Tianshui diocese in northwestern Gansu province during the weekend.
They include diocesan administrator Father John Baptist Wang Ruohan; retired Bishop Casmir Wang Milu; Father John Wang Ruowang; as well as several other priests and dozens of parish lay leaders.
Bishop Wang and the two Father Wangs are brothers.
Local Church sources believe they are being held separately at several locations.
Since being questioned, they have been ordered to attend study sessions for four hours a day, while the lay leaders have been allowed to phone their families, the sources said.
With about 15 priests, Tianshui’s diocese’s underground community, which has no affiliation with the government-sanctioned “open” Church, has maintained a peaceful relationship with government officials in recent years.
The diocese — which has about 20,000 Catholics — split in the 1980s. It became a vacant see after Bishop Wang retired in 2003 and Bishop Augustine Zhao Jinglong from the open community died in 2004.
Father Bosco Zhao Jianzhang, grand-nephew of Bishop Zhao, is the administrator and bishop candidate of the open community, which has 12 priests.
Sources suspect the latest incident may relate to the creation of a new bishop, which was listed as a priority undertaking in a report published by the Communist Party’s Gansu United Front Work Department last year.
Due to the detentions, the underground community’s annual retreat which is scheduled to begin tomorrow has been cancelled.
Parish priests who were not detained have called on all Catholics to pray for the safe return of their leaders, the sources said.
http://www.ucanews.com/2011/08/23/wait-officials-detain-underground-leaders/
AFRICA: LIBYA: BISHOP CALLS FOR PRAYERS FOR PEACEFUL END TO CONFLICT
Mgr Giovanni Martinelli expects strong resistance against the rebels. Dialogue is necessary for peace, even if it should come at the last moment. Boasting of bombing the civilian population for six months is horrible. Hundreds of Filipino women and a priest thought of fleeing by sea but were prevented by the prevailing insecurity and gunfire across the city. Tripoli’s main Catholic church is also closed because of security concerns.
Rome (AsiaNews) – Mgr Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli says he might be crazy but he is still convinced that reconciliation between Gaddafi and the rebels is possible “to bring peace to the country”. Otherwise, “there is no other solution. NATO air strikes are not a solution. Boasting of bombing the civilian population for six months is horrible.”
The bishop of Tripoli is sceptical about the possibility that rebels might take over the city. “Everything is confused but I don’t think Tripoli is in the hands of the rebels. Seif al Islam’s appearance, his self-assurance and enthusiasm, mean that rebels have taken over little or nothing.”
Yesterday, rebels announced that they had entered Tripoli amid festive crowds and that Seif al Islam had been arrested and charged before the International Criminal Court. Claims that two more of Gaddafi’s sons had been arrested had also been made. However, today a defiant Seif led a group of journalists to an area under the control of Gaddafi’s troops. Other reports indicate gunfights in other parts of the city.
“I think that a rebel victory in Tripoli will be difficult. They’ll meet strong resistance,” the bishop said.
Speaking about the situation of Christians, “they are afraid of air strikes,” Mgr Martinelli said.
A few days ago, their evacuation was still thought possible, but the level of insecurity is such now that it is impossible to walk the streets because of constant shooting.
A group of Filipino women and a priest thought to escape by sea with the help of the Philippines Embassy, but it all came to nought. “Christians can only wait now,” the prelate said.
Because of the lack of security, Tripoli’s Catholic church has been closed and no service has been performed in days.
“I am not losing hope,” the bishop said. “I think that reconciliation is still possible, perhaps at the last moment, to bring peace to the country. Bombs will not solve problems. I hope they can find ways to talk to each other.”
AUSTRALIA: ORGANISATIONS CALL FOR HELP FOR CHILD REFUGEES
CATH. NEWS REPORT: Australian not-for-profit organisations have renewed their calls for child refugees to be allowed to stay here as the High Court decides upon their fate, reports Pro Bono Australia.
Both Baptcare and Mission Australia have pledged their expert welfare services to help support Crossway Baptist church – whose members have offered to house and care for refugee children for free.
The full bench of the High Court is meeting to consider an injunction on the Gillard Government's asylum seeker swap deal with Malaysia.
The challenge before the High Court has been brought by refugee lawyer David Manne on behalf of 42 asylum seekers due to be sent to Malaysia – 6 of whom are unaccompanied minors.
Both Baptcare and Mission Australia have pledged their support to the initiative - Baptcare has offered case management to the families prepared to support the unaccompanied minors as well as individualised support to every child in care.
Melbourne-based Crossway Baptist church has offered to accommodate and care for unaccompanied refugee children at no cost to Australian taxpayers.
Mission Australia has offered its experience as one of the country's largest providers of homelessness and youth services to support the church with developing procedures to ensure the care of children is delivered at high standards and with cultural sensitivity.
EUROPE: ENGLAND: 300 CONVENT GIRLS PERFORM SOUND OF MUSIC
CATHOLIC HERALD REPORT: More than 300 girls took part in the three-night run
By STAFF REPORTER on Thursday, 18 August 2011
Pupils at Coloma Convent Girls School perform the much-loved musical (Photo: Donna Allen)
Students at Coloma Convent Girls School have brought the Shirley Hills in Croydon alive with their rendition of the much-loved musical The Sound of Music.
More than 300 girls took part in the three-night run, performed in the school’s brand-new Winton House Performing Arts Centre. The standard of performance was outstanding with particular credit going to members of the choir, those who took leading parts and the wonderful staff who inspired and directed them.
Maureen Martin, headteacher, said: “The sight of so many young ‘Sisters’ around the school’s grounds brought back many happy memories to our own Daughters of Mary and Joseph Sisters who had helped so much in making this Performing Arts Centre a reality. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our generous donors and sponsors for their support and say a big ‘well done’ to the girls, who worked so incredibly hard to pull off such a fabulous performance.”
Further funds are still needed to purchase equipment and furnishings for the Centre. If you would like to donate, please visitColoma.croydon.sch.uk/sponsorship.
AMERICA: CANADA: BISHOPS' CONDOLENCES ON DEATH OF JACK LAYTON
cccb report: The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops joins all Canadians in offering condolences and sympathy to the family, friends and political colleagues of the late Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Jack Layton, who died earlier today. He was a dedicated politician who served his country with devotion and generosity, was concerned for the common good, and gave a wonderful example of courage and hope, especially during recent months when struggling against cancer.
May he rest in peace, and may Our Lord comfort all those in mourning.
The Most Reverend Pierre Morissette
Bishop of Saint-Jérôme
President
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
22 August 2011
TODAY'S SAINT: AUG. 23: ST. ROSE OF LIMA
St. Rose of Lima
PATRON OF SOUTH AMERICA, DOMINICAN TERTIARY
Feast: August 23
| Rose of Lima has a special claim on our interest for she has the honor of being the first person born in the Western Hemisphere to be canonized by the Church. Only a little more than half a century before her birth, the fabulous land of Peru had been discovered and seized for Spain by the explorer Francisco Pizarro. In 1533 this enterprising conquistador subdued the native population and took over as his capital the inland city of Cuzco, with its strange Inca temples, palaces, and great fortress. Two years later the seat of government was transferred to Lima, a city on the coast, which came to be called the "royal city of kings," because of its architectural splendors. Dominican friars and the representatives of other religious orders were in the vanguard of a great migration from Spain and Portugal that meant a long, dangerous journey across the Atlantic, across the Isthmus of Panama, and down the western coast of South America. To implant Christianity in the new empire was a major aim; while the civilian population, European and native, were working the mines and raising products for export, the friars and priests were intensely active. They taught, preached, learned the native languages, tried to win the love and confidence of the Indians, and soon were engaged in building churches, hospitals, and schools.
The child who became St. Rose of Lima was born on April 20 1586, of a Spaniard, Gaspar de Flores, and Maria d'Olivia, a woman who had Inca blood in her veins. The infant, one of ten children born to the couple, was baptized Isabel, after an aunt, Isabel de Herrara, who acted as godmother. This ceremony took place at home, for the baby was extremely weak. Several weeks later the tiny infant was carried to the nearby church of San Sebastian for baptism by the priest, Don Antonio Polanco. By the time she was confirmed by Archbishop Toribio of Lima, the name Isabel had been replaced by Rose, and this was the name now bestowed on her. Rose had a fresh, lovely complexion, and she was worried by the thought that this name had been given as a tribute to her beauty. So sensitive was her conscience that she had genuine scruples over bearing the name, and on one occasion, after hearing someone praise her comeliness, she rubbed pepper into her face to mar it; another time, she put lime on her hands, inducing acute suffering. This was her way-a way conditioned by the time and place-of fighting a temptation to vanity. Such self-imposed cruelties, as we have seen in the lives of some of the other saints, have not been uncommon, particularly among those of a mystical bent.
Rose seems to have taken for her model St. Catherine of Siena, and, like the earlier saint, she experienced so ardent a love of God whenever she was in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament that exaltation completely filled her soul. Yet Rose was not without a practical side. Her father had been well-to-do, but when he lost money in mining ventures, the family's fortunes reached a very low ebb. Rose helped out by selling her fine needlework; she also raised beautiful flowers and these too were taken to market. One of her brothers, Ferdinand, was sympathetic and understanding toward this sister who was so markedly "different." As she grew to maturity, her parents were anxious to have Rose marry, and indeed there were several worthy aspirants for her hand. Rose did not wish marriage, and, to end the arguments and offers, she joined the Third Order of St. Dominic, donned the habit, and took a vow of perpetual virginity. For many years Rose lived virtually as a recluse. There was a little hut in the family garden, and this she used as an oratory. She often wore on her head a circlet of silver studded on the inside with sharp points, in memory of the Lord's crown of thorns. Other forms of penitence which she inflicted on her body were floggings, administered three times daily, the wearing of a hair shirt, and the dragging of a heavy, wooden cross about the garden. She rubbed her lips with gall and often chewed bitter herbs to deaden the sense of taste. Both eating and sleeping were reduced to a minimum. Naturally her health was affected, but the physical disorders which resulted from this regime-stomach ailments, asthma, rheumatism, and fevers-were suffered uncomplainingly. This manner of life offended her family, who preferred their daughter to follow the more conventional and accepted ways of holiness. Finally, when Rose began to tell of visions, revelations, visitations, and voices they deplored her penitential practices more than ever. She endured their disapproval and grew in spiritual fortitude.
In spite of the rigors of her ascetic life, Rose was not wholly detached from happenings around her, and her awareness of the suffering of others often led her to protest against some of the practices of the Spanish overlords. In the new world, the discovery of unbelievable mineral resources was doing little to enrich or ennoble the lives of the Peruvian natives. The gold and silver from this land of El Dorado was being shipped back to strengthen the empire and embellish the palaces and cathedrals of Old Spain, but at its source there was vice, exploitation, and corruption. The natives were oppressed and impoverished, in spite of the missionaries' efforts to alleviate their miseries and to exercise a restraining hand on the governing class. Rose was cognizant of the evils, and spoke out against them fearlessly. Sometimes she brought sick and hungry persons into her own home that she might better care for them.
For fifteen years Rose bore the disapproval and persecution of those close to her, as well as the more severe trial of desolation of soul. At length an examination by priests and physicians was indicated, and this resulted in the judgment that her experiences were indeed supernatural. Rose's last years were passed in the home of a government official, Don Gonzalo de Massa. During an illness towards the end of her life, she was able to pray, "Lord, increase my sufferings, and with them increase Thy love in my heart." This remarkable woman died on August 25, 1617, at the age of thirty-one.
Not until after her death was it known how widely her beneficent influence had extended, and how deeply venerated she was by the common people of Lima. When her body was borne down the street to the cathedral, a great cry of mourning arose from the crowd. For several days it was impossible to perform the ritual of burial on account of the great press of sorrowing citizens around her bier. She was finally laid to rest in the Dominican convent at Lima. Later, when miracles and cures were being attributed to her intervention, the body was transferred to the church of San Domingo. There it reposes today in a special chapel. Rose of Lima was declared patroness of South America and the Philippines; she was canonized by Pope Clement in 1671, August 30 being appointed her feast-day. This holy woman is highly honored in all Spanish-American countries. The emblems associated with her are an anchor, a crown of roses, and a city. SOURCE : EWTN |
Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/R/stroseoflima.asp#ixzz1VrEzOXpz
TODAY'S GOSPEL: AUG. 23: Matthew 23: 23- 26
23"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.24You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!25"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and rapacity.26You blind Pharisee! first cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside also may be clean.
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