CATHOLIC NEWS WORLD: MON. JAN. 3, 2011: HEADLINES-
EUROPE: ENGLAND: BISHOP ACCEPTS APPROACH OF DEATH WITH PRAYER
TODAY'S SAINT: JAN. 3: ST. GENEVIEVE
TODAY'S GOSPEL: JAN. 3: Matthew 1: 18- 23
VATICAN CITY, 31 DEC 2010 (VIS REPORTS) - The Holy Father has sent a Letter to Archbishop Julian Barrio Barrio of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, to marks today's closing of the Compostela Holy Year.
The people who have made the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela during the course of this year "must return to their homes as the disciples of Emmaus returned to Jerusalem", the Pope writes. "We cannot be credible witnesses of God if we fail to collaborate with men and women and to serve them. This service to profound understanding and to the courageous defence of man is an evangelical requirement and an essential contribution that we, as Christians, can make to society".
Addressing himself in particular to the young, "whom I will have the joy to meet next year in Madrid for World Youth Day", the Pope invites them to let themselves "be attracted by Christ, establishing a frank and serene dialogue with Him and asking themselves: Will the Lord be able to rely on me to be His apostle in the world, to be His messenger of love? May your response not be lacking in generosity, nor in the enthusiasm which led St. James to follow his Master with no concern for the sacrifices involved".
The Holy Father then goes on to encourage seminarians "to identify themselves increasingly with Jesus, Who calls them to work in His vineyard. The priestly vocation is an admirable gift of which we should be proud, because the world needs people completely dedicated to making Jesus Christ present, shaping their lives and their activities around Him, daily repeating His words and gestures with humility, so as to be His image in the flock entrusted to their care".
"As I conserve in my heart the recollection of my happy stay in Santiago de Compostela, I ask the Lord that the forgiveness and the aspiration to sanctity which have developed during this Compostela Holy Year may, under the guidance of St. James, help to make the redeeming Word of Jesus Christ present in that particular Church and in all of Spain. May this light", he concludes, "also be perceptible in Europe, as an incessant call to strengthen its Christian roots and thus increase its commitment to solidarity and the defence of man's dignity".
BXVI-LETTER/
SOLIDARITY WITH THE POOR AND WITH PEOPLE IN DIFFICULTIES
VATICAN CITY, 31 DEC 2010 (VIS) - In the Vatican Basilica at 6 p.m. today, the Pope presided at first Vespers for the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God. This was followed by the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the singing of the traditional "Te Deum" of thanksgiving for the conclusion of the year, and the Eucharistic blessing.
In his homily the Holy Father explained how, "with the coming of Christ and His redemption we are 'at the fullness' of time. As St. Paul says, time comes to fullness in Jesus, it reaches its fulfilment, acquiring that significance of salvation and grace which God wished for it since before the creation of the world".
"Our human time", the Pope went on, "is loaded with evils, sufferings and dramas of every kind - from those caused by man's own wickedness to those deriving from adverse natural events - but it now contains, definitively and unchangeably, the joyful and liberating novelty of Christ the Saviour. In the Child of Bethlehem we can see, in a particularly luminous and eloquent way, the meeting of eternity and time, as the liturgy of the Church says".
The Church of Rome "is committed to helping all the baptised faithfully to live the vocation they received and to bear witness to the beauty of the faith. As we seek to be authentic disciples of Christ, essential support comes from daily meditation on the Word of God", said the Holy Father. In this context he also encouraged everyone "to cultivate an intense relationship with the Word, especially through 'lectio divina', in order to obtain the light necessary to discern the signs of God in our own time, and to proclaim the Gospel effectively".
"Assistance in this evangelising activity in Rome", Benedict XVI continued, "comes from the 'Centres for listening to the Gospel', which I suggest should be recreated or revitalised, not only in homes but also in hospitals and workplaces, and in the places where the new generations are formed and culture is created".
"The best place to listen to the word of God is in the celebration of the Eucharist. Last June's diocesan congress, in which I myself participated, chose to underline the centrality of Sunday Mass in the life of all Christian communities. ... I encourage pastors and priests to put the pastoral programme into effect: forming liturgical groups to enliven the celebration and offering a catechesis which helps everyone to a greater understanding of the Eucharistic mystery, from which the witness of charity comes".
The Pope concluded his homily by referring to "concerns about insecurity, which affect so many families and which call the entire diocesan community to draw close to people living in conditions of poverty and distress. May God, infinite love, enflame all our hearts with that charity which impelled Him to give His Only-begotten Son".
Following the celebration, the Pope made a brief visit to the nativity scene in St. Peter's Square.
HML/
COMMITMENT FROM EVERYONE IS NEEDED TO ACHIEVE PEACE
VATICAN CITY, 1 JAN 2011 (VIS) - In the Vatican Basilica at 10 a.m. today, Benedict XVI presided at a Eucharistic celebration for the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God and the forty-fourth World Day of Peace.
In his homily the Pope explained how the Church today asks the Lord "to bless this new year in the awareness that, in the face of the tragic events of history, in the face of the logic of war which unfortunately has not yet been completely overcome, only God can profoundly touch the human soul and ensure hope and peace for humankind".
And he continued: "It is in fact a consolidated tradition on the first day of the year for the Church throughout the world to raise a choral prayer for peace. It is a good idea to begin a new stage of the journey by decisively following the path of peace. Today we wish to echo the cry of so many men and women, children and elderly people, who are victims of war, which is the most horrific and violent face of history. Today we pray that the peace which the angels announced to the shepherds on Christmas night may reach everywhere. For this reason, particularly through our prayers, we wish to help all individuals and peoples, especially those in positions of power, to follow the path of peace with ever greater commitment".
"The title of 'Mother of God', as emphasised in today's liturgy, underlines the Holy Virgin's unique mission in the history of salvation; the mission which lies at the basis of the veneration and devotion Christian people show towards her. Mary, in fact, did not receive God's gift for herself but to bring it into the world. ... And it is in the name of Mary, Mother of God and of mankind, that, since 1 January 1968, the World Day of Peace has been celebrated throughout the world".
Having then recalled the theme of his Message for the 2011 World Day of Peace - "Religious Freedom. The Path to Peace" - the Holy Father highlighted how "peace is a gift of God. ... It is also a human value to be achieved at a social and political level, but it has its roots in the mystery of Christ".
"'The world needs God", he said quoting his Message. "It needs universal, shared ethical and spiritual values, and religion can offer a precious contribution to their pursuit, for the building of a just and peaceful social order at the national and international levels'. For this reason I also emphasised how religious freedom 'is an essential element of a constitutional State; it cannot be denied without at the same time encroaching on all fundamental rights and freedoms, since it is their synthesis and keystone'".
Benedict XVI continued his homily: "Humankind must not resign itself to the negative power of selfishness and violence; it must not become accustomed to conflicts which cause victims and put the future of peoples at risk. Faced with the ominous tensions of the present time, and especially with religious abuses and intolerance which today particularly strike Christians, once again I make a pressing appeal not to succumb to discouragement and resignation.
"I encourage everyone", he added in conclusion, "to pray that the efforts being made on many sides to promote and construct peace in the world may reach a fruitful conclusion. In this difficult task words are not enough, we need concrete and constant commitment from the leaders of nations. But above all it is vital that everyone be animated by an authentic spirit of peace, which must be implored ever and anew in prayer and put into practice in daily life in all times and places".
HML/
RELIGIOUS LEADERS INVITED TO JOIN POPE IN ASSISI IN OCTOBER
VATICAN CITY, 1 JAN 2011 (VIS) - Following this morning's Mass celebrated in the Vatican Basilica, the Pope appeared at the window of his study to address faithful gathered below in St. Peter's Square for the first Angelus of 2011.
The Holy Father remarked how "on this day the Church invokes the gift of peace from God through Jesus Christ. It is the World Day of Peace, an appropriate occasion to reflect together on the great challenges our age places before humankind.
"One of these challenges, which has become dramatically pressing over these days is that of religious freedom", he added. "Today we are witnessing two opposing tendencies, two equally negative extremes: on the one hand laicism which deviously seeks to marginalise religion and confine it to the private sphere and, on the other, fundamentalism which seeks to impose it on everyone by use of force".
"Wherever religious freedom is effectively recognised the dignity of the human being is respected at its roots and, through a sincere search for truth and goodness, moral conscience is fortified and the institutions of civil coexistence strengthened. For this reason religious freedom is the highway to follow to build peace".
"By looking to the One Who is the 'Prince of peace' we understand that peace cannot be achieved by arms, nor through economic, political, cultural or media power. Peace is the work of consciences which open to truth and love. May God help us to continue along this path in the new year He has granted us to live".
After praying the Angelus, the Pope recalled that his message for the World Day of Peace had highlighted how "the great religions can represent an important factor for the unity and peace of the human family. In this context", he said, "I also noted that the year 2011 will mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace which the Venerable John Paul II called in Assisi, Italy, in 1986. For this reason, in the coming month of October, I will make a pilgrimage to the town of St. Francis, inviting my Christian brethren of different confessions, leaders of the world's religious traditions and, in their hearts, all men and women of good will, to join me on this journey in order to commemorate that important historical gesture of my predecessor, and solemnly to renew the commitment of believers of all religions to live their religious faith as a service to the cause of peace. Those who are journeying towards God cannot fail to transmit peace; those who build peace cannot fail to move towards God. I invite you, even now, to support this initiative with your prayers".
ANG/
PRAYERS FOR VICTIMS OF MASSACRE AT COPTIC CHURCH IN EGYPT
VATICAN CITY, 2 JAN 2011 (VIS) - At midday today the Pope appeared at the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace to pray the Angelus with thousands of faithful and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square.
The Pope again expressed his felicitations for the new year, and thanked everyone who had sent him "messages of spiritual support".
Commenting on today's reading, a reiteration of the prologue of the St. John's Gospel as proclaimed on Christmas Day, the Pope highlighted how "this wondrous text expresses, in the form of a hymn, the mystery of the Incarnation as preached by the eye witnesses, the Apostles and in particular St. John whose feast falls on 27 December".
Benedict XVI then addressed some remarks to thousands of people gathered in Plaza de Colon in Madrid, Spain, who were following him on live television linkup. They are celebrating, for the fourth consecutive year, the feast of the family which has as its theme this year: "The Christian family. Hope for Europe".
"I invite you", said Benedict XVI, "to be strong in love and humbly to contemplate the mystery of Christmas, which continues to speak to our hearts and becomes a school of family and fraternal life. The maternal gaze of the Virgin Mary, the loving protection of St. Joseph and the sweet presence of the Baby Jesus provide a clear image of how each Christian family should be: a true shrine of fidelity, respect and understanding in which faith is transmitted, hope fortified and charity enflamed. I encourage everyone to live their Christian vocation with renewed enthusiasm in the home, as genuine servants of the love which welcomes, accompanies and defends life. Make your houses true seedbeds of virtue, and serene and luminous areas of trust in which, guided by the grace of God, it is possible to discern the call of the Lord Who continues to invite us to follow Him. With these feelings I fervently entrust the goals and fruits of your meeting to the Holy Family, that joy, mutual commitment and generosity may reign in a growing number of families".
After the Angelus prayer the Holy Father referred to "news of the serious attack against the Coptic Christian community in Alexandria, Egypt. This vile and murderous gesture, like that of placing bombs near the houses of Christians in Iraq to force them to leave, offends God and all humankind, which only yesterday prayed for peace and began a new year with hope. In the face of these strategies of violence, which aim against Christians but have consequences on the entire population, I pray for the victims and their relatives, and encourage ecclesial communities to persevere in the faith and in the witness of non-violence which comes to us from the Gospel. I think also of the many pastoral workers killed in various parts of the world in the course of 2010. For them too we equally express our affectionate remembrance before the Lord. Let us remain united in Christ, our hope and our peace!"
ANG/
VATICAN CITY, 3 JAN 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Neal J. Buckon of the clergy of the diocese of Cleveland, U.S.A., military chaplain in Korea, as auxiliary to the military ordinariate of the United States of America. The bishop-elect was born in Columbus, U.S.A. in 1953 and ordained a priest in 1995.
ASIA: INDIA: HINDU EXTREMISTS ATTACK CHRISTIAN LEADER
AsiaNews REPORT – The attack took place yesterday evening at a prayer service in Davanagere. The victim was hit with a cleaver and was saved by a miracle. Hindu radicals 'anti-conversion' law behind the attack. "It 's an excuse for anti-Christian violence," says the chairman of the Global Council of Indian Christians, recalling the Pope's message on religious freedom.
There has been a murder attempt of a Christian leader in India. Pastor Isaac Samuel, coordinator of theGlobal Council of Indian Christians in Davanagere in the state of Karnataka, was attacked yesterday, Sunday, Jan. 2, at 20:30. Isaac Samuel was leading a prayer service for some Christians who belong to the nomadic community, the Pikk Akki, and live in a camp near the bus station in Davanagere. The attack took place in front of his wife and two sons.
"The Hindu fundamentalists who were opposed to the prayer service attacked the Pastor with a cleaver with the clear intention of killing him," Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians told AsiaNews. "Thank God the blade missed his head, getting him instead in the neck and shoulder, however seriously injuring the pastor." The victim was transported to the state hospital Chigateri at Davanagere, where doctors closed the wound with twelve stitches. He is still under treatment, and although he had to undergo a blood transfusion, seems out of danger.
"The attack on Samuel Isaac underscores the timeliness of the Holy Father’s urgent appeal that freedom of religion is the path to peace," said Sajan George. "Furthermore, the government of the Bharatiya Janata Party must realise that the 'anti-conversion' law has a history of misuse by Hindu fundamentalists, and has provided an excuse for anti-Christian violence in other states." Thanks to the Global Council of Indian Christians, the police took action and initiated an investigation into the aggression, which was widely covered by local media and television. A man, identified only by the name of Bansava, has been arrested. With the collaboration of Santosh Digal
AMERICA: USA: WOMAN SEWS FOR AFRICAN AIDS ORPHANS
Shirley Thomas of Normandy Park is sewing the seeds of love for little girls she'll never meet, helping the young patients, one stitch at a time.
Shirley Thompson of Normandy Park makes dresses for AIDS orphans in Africa."Every time I pick up another piece of material, I think of another little smiling girl's face," she says.
The girls are all orphans in Africa - their parents taken by AIDS.
"Both parents are gone and they live in this orphanage and they have one meal a day," says Shirley. "Life is not good for them."
She spends countless hours sewing little dresses for girls who will get little else.
"Little girls like to feel pretty," says Shirley.
The project started at a class reunion, when a woman told her about the effort. Before that, Shirley had only sewn a dress for herself every couple of years.
"She was telling me about making these dresses for the little girls in Namibia, Africa, and I said, 'I can do that.'"
Shirley has made 300 dresses already and she's working on 30 more right now. She hopes her 80-year-old fingers can sew a better life for young girls just trying to survive.
"Cover those little girl's bodies, just making them happy," she says. "Letting them know that somebody cares."
AFRICA: NIGERIA- SECURITY CHECKS ON ENTRANCE OF CHURCHES
ALLAFRICA REPORT- Worshippers at the Church of Immaculate Conception (CIC) in Zaramanga, Jos were yesterday made to go through security checks at the gate before entering the church.
The security team conducted the checks as the worshippers arrived for the day's morning service at the Catholic parish church. The team however comprised the church's usual security outfit of Boys Scout members and some other plain-clothed security officials. Rev. Fr. Cletus Gotan, the CIC Parish Priest who spoke on the security arrangement, said the security measure was to safeguard the parishioners. The city of Jos had on 2010 Christmas eve witnessed a spate of bombings across the city, while Abuja had a dose of the bombings on New Year eve. The incidents had left many people dead and injured, leading to increased security at many churches and other public places.
Aside the physical checks, Gotan said the CIC Catholic Parish had acquired some metal detectors to check entrants into its premises to "avoid any unwarranted situation". He however acknowledged that the church needed to increase its security mechanism, and appealed for support.
"Please my people, as you are coming in, submit yourselves to the security agents at the gate, whether they know you or not. What we are doing is for the good of all of us. If you co-operate, we will reduce the chances of somebody coming to attack," he said. The parish priest also advised the parishioners to be security-conscious and make enquiries on the safety or otherwise of places they are going to before moving there. He called on all Christians to continue to show love to their neighbours as exemplified by Jesus Christ. Gotan also expressed the need for more love among all human beings, pointing out that there would be no violence in a place where love is prevalent."We need more security apparatus, and we solicit your support," the priest said. Gotan however appealed to the parishioners to bear with the situation and comply with the security officials' directives.
EUROPE: ENGLAND: BISHOP ACCEPTS APPROACH OF DEATH WITH PRAYER
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Bishop Michael writes:
My dear friends,
Over the last five and more years, since my diagnosis with advanced prostrate cancer, I have managed to cope with my developing illness, its ongoing treatment, the general decline in my health, and generally – I think – continued my ministry as best I can.
We have moved forward and outward together as a diocese, although not all of you may be have been happy with the directions we have taken. I am sorry for any ways I have failed in my ministry during those years. There remain a number of difficulties on my desk which will need to be handled by others.
In the last few weeks, the cancer has rather quickly taken control. My oncology and palliative care consultants informed me openly and honestly just before Christmas that I now probably have only weeks to live, and I am as prepared for that as I can be, accepting it with faith as a gift of God’s grace.
I have received wonderful care from Dr Adrian Harnett and everyone at the Colney Centre at the Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital, and the local surgery, and I would like to thank them for their dedication which continues. My thanks also to so many people in our team at the White House and across our diocese.
Rather than resign, I would like to continue among you as your bishop and the father of our diocesan family until this stage of my life ends. I do not know how long that will be. I am most grateful for the ways you have cared for and so prayerfully supported me in recent years. You remain very much in my thoughts and care. As I am sure you understand, I am able to do very little, and will need to rely on others. Please can I ask you to limit any expressions of care to prayer for now, rather than anything else to which I cannot respond.
As I live now under the shadow of death, my prayer is very much that of St Paul that I may know something of the power of Christ’s resurrection and a share in his sufferings, trusting that the Lord is with me. I pray that even now I can joyfully witness something of the good news we are all called to proclaim.
With my warmest good wishes, my prayers and my love as always
Yours in Christ
+Michael
AUSTRALIA: SEVERE FLOODING CONTINUE- CITY CUT OFF
HERALDSUN REPORT- ROCKHAMPTON is now completely cut off by raging flood waters that are not expected to peak for another couple of days.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh confirmed that the last route into the city has become inundated by the natural disaster.
ROCKHAMPTON is now completely cut off by
"Rockhampton is now completely stranded - a town of 75,000 people - no airport, rail or road."
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been flying tonnes of food and medical supplies to Mackay so they can be trucked south to the town.
Rockhampton Mayor Brad Carter said that the 9.4m flood peak was expected to remain for one to two days, and the waters would take a long time to recede.
Already, 1400 properties are affected in Rockhampton. Evacuation centres are now preparing for up to 1000 residents as the floods take hold.
Many are already underwater, and police have been wading through chest-high water to ensure no one is left in inundated properties.At 9.4m, about 400 homes are expected to be inundated, with thousands more parcels of land affected.
Now that the Bruce Highway to the north is cut, three ADF Black Hawk helicopters sent to Rockhampton from Emerald will provide the town's critical lifeline.
Ms Bligh also said that the floods have halted operations at 75 per cent of Queensland's coal fields.
"There is likely to be a significant long term effect of that and not only nationally but internationally," she said.
Queensland supplies half of the world's coking coal needed in steel manufacturing, Ms Bligh said.
Meanwhile, a third person in two days has died in the flood crisis in central Queensland.
The person was killed after surging waters swept their car off a causeway at Aramac, police said yesterday.
Police believe there were two people in the car, but the second person escaped.
Chief Superintendent Alistair Dawson has told reporters in Brisbane the victim was the 10th person to die since the state's floods began.
"I'd like to reinforce with the community not to drive through flooded roads, but more importantly pay attention to road closed signs," he said.
They are there for a purpose and that purpose is the protection of life."
Yesterday morning, the body of a 38-year-old fisherman was recovered 13km away from where he was last seen near Gladstone.
On Sunday, the body of a 44-year-old woman was found 2km from where she was swept away.
With catchments across the state at record peaks and dams overflowing, concerns are mounting that severe wet weather and the high chance of another cyclone will see towns ravaged more than once this summer.
Experts have warned the flood risk is not over for the storm season.
Emergency Management Queensland acting assistant director-general Warren Bridson said authorities were "very conscious'' of the likelihood that more wet weather could be around the corner.
"The Bureau of Meteorology predicted this to be a very severe wet season,'' Mr Bridson said.
"We still have three months ahead of us, so we must expect lots more of what we're currently having.'' In November, weather bureau chief Jim Davidson gave an unprecedented warning to the Bligh Government about the possibility of five or six cyclones this season.
"We've had one,'' Mr Bridson said.
"Theoretically we have four to go.''
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said authorities were taking the advice very seriously.
"Disaster groups are obviously focusing on dealing with this particular situation, but their minds are certainly looking to the future,'' he said.
TODAY'S SAINT: JAN. 3: ST. GENEVIEVE
St. Genevieve | |||||||||||
VIRGIN, CHIEF PATRONESS OF THE CITY OF PARIS | |||||||||||
Feast: January 3 | |||||||||||
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TODAY'S GOSPEL: JAN. 3: Matthew 1: 18- 23
18Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit;19and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.20But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit;21she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."22All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:23"Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us).
