VATICAN: POPE READ BIBLE THIS SUMMER/PRAISES KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
ASIA: SYRIA: VIOLENCE CONTINUES WITH OVER 160 DEATHS
EUROPE: GERMANY: MISSIONARY ACTIVITY IN 2010- REPORT
AFRICA: SUDAN: CATHOLIC BISHOPS TO DECIDE ON UNITY AT CONFERENCE
AMERICA: PASTORAL MUSICIANS CONFERENCE CONCLUDES
AUSTRALIA: 105,000 HOMELESS- INCLUDING THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN
TODAY'S SAINT: AUG. 3: ST. GAMALIEL
TODAY'S GOSPEL: AUG. 3: Matthew 15: 21- 28
VATICAN: POPE READ BIBLE THIS SUMMER/PRAISES KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Thousands flooded the main square of the tiny hill top village which borders onto the main entrance to the Papal summer residence.
Appearing on the balcony overlooking the square, the Pope said "each of us needs time and space for meditation, reflection and calm ... Thank God it's so! In fact, this requirement tells us that we are not made only for work but also to think, reflect, or simply to follow a story with our minds and hearts, a story that we can connect with, in a sense 'get lost' in to then find ourselves enriched. “
Of course, the Pope observed, many books "are mostly for escapism." And yet, he added, many are also dedicated to a more challenging reading: "Why not discover some books of the Bible, which are normally unknown? Or of which we have maybe heard some passages during the liturgy, but we never read in its entirety? In fact, many Christians have never read the bible, and have a very limited and superficial knowledge of it. “
The bible, the Holy Father said, is like a collection of books, "a small library." Some of these books, he said, "remain almost unknown to most people, even good Christians." He mentioned some of these books, such as the "Book of Tobit," on family and marriage, the "Book of Esther "on the power of prayer and the "Book of Ruth", on Divine providence.
These little books can be read through in one hour, he said, before pointing to more challenging, and authentic masterpieces, such as “the Book of Job, which tackles the great problem of innocent suffering, Ecclesiastes for its disconcerting modernity which questions the meaning of life and the world, the Song of Songs, a beautiful poem symbolic of human love".
The Pope also spoke of the New Testament stressing "the beauty of reading one Gospel straight through" as well as the Acts of the Apostles, or Letters. He then reiterated his suggestion to "keep the Bible on hand during the summer or during breaks", " to enjoy it in a new way”.
After the catechesis, speaking in English, the Pope greeted, among others, a group of faithful from the Japanese city of Nagasaki who on August 9 next will commemorate the 66th anniversary of the atomic bombing during the Second War World. Then before taking his leave Pope Benedict went to personally greet the sick and the faithful in the front rows behind the barriers.
Penned by Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the message expresses the Pope’s “deep gratitude to the Knights of Columbus for their continuing contribution to responsible public debate about the great ethical issues which will shape the future of our democratic societies”.
Founded by Father Michael J. McGivney in New Haven in 1882, the KOFC is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. There are more than 1.8 million members in 15,000 councils, with nearly 200 councils on college campuses.
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, the Archbishop-designate of Philadelphia and current diocesan administrator of Denver, presided over Mass. This was followed by Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson’s presentation of the Annual Report. In the 2010 fraternal year, the Order gave over 154 million US dollars directly to charity and performed over 70 million man-hours of voluntary service.
Commenting on the theme of this year’s Supreme Convention –“So That The World May Know New Hope”– Cardinal Bertone writes that Pope Benedict “sees in this valued service to the common good an outstanding example of the lay apostolate”. “Such a clear and courageous moral witness is all the more necessary in the light of a proliferation of legislative initiatives which not only undermine such basic institutions of society as marriage and the family, but also threaten the fundamental human rights of conscientious objection and religious freedom. As part of its response to these increasingly serious challenges”.
Pope Benedict, thinks especially of the “impressive witness to hope given by the Knights of Columbus as they help so many young men to grow to Christian maturity, teaching them to let their lives be shaped by the things that really matter (cf. Phil 1:10) and offering countless quiet examples of the masculine virtues of fidelity, hard work, generosity and self-sacrifice”.
The message concludes “This commitment has always been shown first and foremost on the level of the local Councils, in the many quiet ways in which Knights have always sought to help one another, especially in difficult times such as the present economic downturn. It has also found privileged expression in your Order’s institutional programs of insurance and financial planning, which have brought stability and hope to so many individuals and families, and in your charitable outreach to the poor throughout the world, particularly in the wake of disasters such as those which recently struck Haiti and Japan. His Holiness is likewise grateful for the unswerving support which the Knights have given to the Successor of Peter in his ministry to the universal Church. He sees in this great symphony of charity a testimony to the catholicity of our faith and to the breadth and depth of our hope in Christ’s saving promises”.
ASIA: SYRIA: VIOLENCE CONTINUES WITH OVER 160 DEATHS
Damascus (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The security force offensive in the Syrian city of Hama continues, where violent clashes between troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and dissidents erupted in recent days. Activists report that yesterday three other people had been killed, in addition to 140 massacred by the army on July 31, the death toll in the city has exceeded the 160. Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says the Syrian President has "lost all sense of humanity," but the Security Council for the second consecutive day failed to reach an agreement on a possible resolution of condemnation against Damascus.The dead and the harsh violence in Hama and other areas of revolt has sparked international condemnation. Ban Ki-moon expressed anger and frustration over the "numerous statements" issued from the beginning of the crackdown, in which he invited President Assad "with whom I have spoken several times" to resolve the situation "peacefully".
However, even within the United Nations Security Council it is stalemate. For the second consecutive day the 15 member countries did not reach agreement on a possible motion of condemnation of the regime in Damascus, because of the opposition of China and Russia. Internal sources speak of "progress" among the delegates, but there are deep "divisions" on the measures to be implemented.
Meanwhile, demonstrations of dissent against the regime are still taking place, despite the army's offensives. On the night of August 2 there were demonstrations in Homs and several surrounding villages, similar scenes were also recorded in coastal cities of Latakia and Baniyas. But the attention is focused on Hama, where for several days the military loyal to the regime has been leading a violent crackdown, which yesterday alone led to three more deaths.
Hama, a city of 800 thousand inhabitants in central Syria, is one of the bastions of anti-regime revolt and plays a special role in the country's recent history. In 1982 then-President Hafez al-Assad, Bashar's father, sent the army to quell a Sunni opposition revolt, led by the Muslim Brotherhood. The crackdown caused tens of thousands of deaths and destroyed the city.
Human rights activists report that since the beginning of the Arab Spring revolt in Syria in March, at least 1,992 people have been killed, including 1,618 civilians and 374 members of the military or security forces. However, it is impossible to confirm the numbers for the lack of independent sources in the country, where there is a strict censorship.
EUROPE: GERMANY: MISSIONARY ACTIVITY IN 2010- REPORT
For projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the countries of Eastern Europe more than 539 million euros were provided in 2010. Besides financial assistance to support development projects several collaborations with church groups, associations, parishes and dioceses around the world were launched. On the humanitarian front priority to victims of natural disasters in Haiti and Pakistan was given.
The annual report is published by the new "Conference of the Universal Church" founded in April this year, which brings together the realities of the German Church more committed on an international level. Head of the conference was the President of the Commission for the missions of the German Bishops, S. E. Mgr. Ludwig Schick, Archbishop of Bamberg, who in his introduction to the report recalls the common foundation of commitment to the universal Church: "the commitment to the mission of Christ and the testimony of God's salvation among all peoples". (MS)
AFRICA: SUDAN: CATHOLIC BISHOPS TO DECIDE ON UNITY AT CONFERENCE
CISA REPORT -The Catholic Church in Sudan is yet to decide on its future pastoral operations, following the historic political separation of the country into north and south.
On July 9, 2011, the new nation of the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) was born, but the church remained united.
A source from Sudan Catholic Radio News says the Bishops conference will meet in October in Wau Diocese (South). This meeting is expected to decide if to form two conferences. At present, they have one conference with two independent secretariats in Juba and Khartoum.
The source told CISA that some bishops in the South want separation but those from the North are opposed to this. There are only two dioceses in the north, namely: Khartoum and El Obeid and it will be difficult to form a Bishops’ conference.
Meanwhile advisor to the Church in the Sudan, John Ashworth says membership is going down in the Republic of Sudan (North) because many southerners have left.
“Others will probably be forced to do so in the coming months due to citizenship issues as well as the potential for renewed harassment of cultural and religious minorities in the Republic of Sudan. This is the reason that some church schools and chapels have to close. If Khartoum grants citizenship rights to southerners, then the situation may ease, but it depends on how they treat southerners and Christians,” he told CISA.
Out of the Church’s nine dioceses, in the greater Sudan, only two are in the North, the rest namely: Malakal, Juba, Yei, Wau, Rumbek, Tombura-Yambio and Torit are in the South.
AMERICA: PASTORAL MUSICIANS CONFERENCE CONCLUDES
CATH NEWS REPORT- Around 3,100 Catholic pastoral musicians from around the United States, Canada and Mexico gathered in the US to prepare for the implementation of the new translation of the Roman Missal, said a Catholic News Service report on NCR.
"Whether we will sing new words to old tunes or new words to new tunes, the upcoming changes will affect all of us," Dominican Fr Paul Colloton told the crowd during the opening of the National Pastoral Musicians Convention on July 18 in Louisville, Kentucky. Colloton is the organisation's director of continuing education.
Parishes around the United States will begin using the new text - and some new music with it - for the celebration of Mass on November 27, the first Sunday in Advent.
He called on the 3,000-voice choir to sing with him the line, "Sing to the Lord a new song," the theme of this year's convention.
Colloton acknowledged that the new missal translation will bring changes in the Mass but said it also offers Catholics an opportunity to find a "deeper relationship with Jesus Christ" so that "we can sing to the Lord with new words," and he directed the crowd to sing the latter in unison.
Keynote speaker Msgr Ray East wove music intermittently into his speech. Singing the Magnificat at one point, East told the crowd, "That 'yes' Mary said changed the history of the world.
"I also believe that your 'yes' to everything that [is changing in the liturgy] will change our worship for the better," he said.
East, pastor of St Teresa of Avila in Washington, noted that some people came to the convention "with anger" and some came "sad." A variety of emotions have animated responses to the new Roman Missal, he said.
"All of us came here with questions, panicking about the advent of Advent," he said, as the crowd murmured with comments. "But I hope that somebody came here to Louisville with an open mind ... with an open heart to listen, to learn, to study. And I hope somebody came to 'sing to the Lord a new song.' "
AUSTRALIA: 105,000 HOMELESS- INCLUDING THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN
SYDNEY ARCHDIOCESE REPORT-
2 Aug 2011
105,000 Australians are currently
homeless
The Society of St Vincent de Paul has expressed its concern at the high number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders seeking the agency's specialist homeless services.
"The proportion of Australia's First People experiencing homelessness is a massive over-representation," says Dr John Falzon, Chief Executive of the Society's National Council in a statement to mark National Homeless Persons' Week which was launched in Canberra on Monday this week by the Government's Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness, Mark Arbib.
But despite welcoming the Government's ongoing commitment to halve the rate of homelessness in Australia, and promise to offer supported accommodation to all those who need it by the end of the decade, Dr Falzon says Australia will be unable to eliminate homelessness as a nation unless there is greater investment in social housing.
Dr Falzon also expressed Vinnies' ongoing concern at the inadequacy of social security benefits, especially the Newstart Allowance. The Newstart Allowance paid through Centrelink gives financial support to the unemployed. But the amount has not kept pace with the cost of living and has remained unchanged for the past 15 years.
"Being forced to try and survive on $34 a day increases a person's vulnerability to homelessness," Dr Falzon says.
Of Australia's 105,000 homeless,
more than 10,000 are children under 12
At present there are an estimated 105,000 homeless men, women and children across Australia. Based on figures from the nation's last census in 2009, 10,000 of this number are children under the age of 12, with a further 36,173 aged between 12 and 24.
"There are many reasons why people experience homelessness," says Vinnies' National President, Anthony Thornton and explains how some are pushed into homelessness as a result of domestic violence, poverty, and social inequality.
Other causes can include family breakdown, domestic violence, the lack of affordable housing particularly in cities such as Sydney and drug and alcohol related problems. Mental illness is also another key factor.
"In a recent scientific study it was found that 75 percent of homeless people in Australia suffer some form of mental illness," says Sister Maree Harris RSJ, founder of Petersham's Gethsemane Community which offers pastoral care and support services, shelter, food and resources to many of Sydney's homeless.
Sr Myree Harris
The mental illnesses suffered by a large proportion of homeless men and women range from clinical depression and bipolar disorder to schizophrenia. In fact in one study it has been found that as many 23 percent of homeless men suffer from schizophrenia with almost half of all women on the streets afflicted by this condition.
Other disturbing figures in the study found that as many as 98 to 100 percent of women had also suffered major trauma or rape after becoming homeless.
Sr Maree urges the Government to make safe secure affordable housing a priority and this needs to be backed up with adequate support, care and counselling for those with special needs, particularly for those with mental illness.
Vinnies' President, Anthony Thornton agrees.
"As a prosperous nation we should at least ensure that everyone is given the basic right to housing," he says, adding that once this was accomplished, there would be a safe and secure base from which other problems of society could be addressed.
Dr John Falzon CEO Vinnies Says
More Social Housing Needed
Over the coming week those involved with the homeless services sector such as Vinnies and CatholicCare aim to increase public awareness about homelessness and the diverse reasons a family, individual or single mum and her kids can find themselves without shelter and unable to afford the city's escalating rents, let alone a four or five figure security deposit.
With Australia's next census to be taken on 9 August it is also hoped more details and information about homelessness in Australia will emerge. This will result not only in better data on homelessness experienced by Indigenous people who remain some of Australia's most disadvantaged, but will also shed light on refugee communities and humanitarian visa entrants, who due to language difficulties and lack of financial support, are at constant risk of becoming homeless.
http://www.sydney.catholic.org.au/news/latest_news/2011/201182_1399.shtml
TODAY'S SAINT: AUG. 3: ST. GAMALIEL
We learn from Acts 22:3, that he was the teacher of St. Paul; but we are not told either the nature or the extent of the influence which he exercised upon the future apostle of the Gentiles. Gamaliel is rightly identified with an illustrious Jewish doctor of the Law, who bore the same name and died eighteen years before the destruction of Jerusalem. In the Talmud, this Gamaliel bears, like his grandfather Hillel, the surname of “the Elder”, and is the first to whom the title “Rabban”, “our master”, was given.
He appears therein, as in the book of the Acts, as a prominent member of the highest tribunal of the Jews. He is also treated as the originator of many legal ordinances; as the father of a son, whom he called Simeon, after his father’s name, and of a daughter who married the priest Simon ben Nathanael. The Jewish accounts make him die a Pharisee, and state that: “When he died, the honour of the Torah (the law) ceased, and purity and piety became extinct.”
At an early date, ecclesiastical tradition has supposed that Gamaliel embraced the Christian Faith, and remained a member of the Sanhedrin for the purpose of helping secretly his fellow-Christians (cf. Recognitions of Clement, I, lxv, lxvi). According to Photius, he was baptized by St. Peter and St. John, together with his son and with Nicodemus. His body, miraculously discovered in the fifth century, is said to be preserved at Pisa, in Italy.
TODAY'S GOSPEL: AUG. 3: Matthew 15: 21- 28
21And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.22And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon."23But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us."24He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."25But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me."26And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."27She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."28Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.
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