EUROPE: WORLD YOUTH DAY BEGINS IN MADRID SPAIN
AUSTRALIA: NEW PROGRAM BRINGS TEACHERS TO REMOTE AREASASIA: IRAN: 2 WOMEN JAILED FOR CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY
AFRICA: GHANA: OPENING OF COUNSELING CENTER/SCHOOL
AMERICA: COLOMBIA: PEACE WEEK BY EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE
WORLD YOUTH DAY: LIVE STREAM- MADRID
TODAY'S SAINT: AUG. 16: ST. STEPHEN OF HUNGARY
The Holy Father has appointed Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Joseph Chennoth in Japan, Titular Archbishop of Milevi, Apostolic Nuncio in Tanzania so far. (IMAGE SOURCE: RADIO VATICANA)
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The Holy Father Benedict XVI appointed Bishop of Les Cayes (Haiti) Chibly Rev. Langlois, now Bishop of Fort-Liberte.
Archbishop Chibly Langlois
Langlois Chibly Archbishop was born November 29, 1958 la Vallee in the Diocese of Jacmel. He completed his primary studies at the Christian Brothers of La Vallee. He completed his secondary studies at the "Petit Séminaire Collège Saint-Martial" in Port-au-Prince. In 1985 he joined the "Grand Séminaire Notre-Dame" in Port-au-Prince, where he took courses in philosophy and theology, obtaining a Bachelor in Theology. It 'was ordained priest on 22 September 1991. From 1994 to 1996 he studied in Rome at the Pontifical Lateran University where he earned a licentiate in pastoral theology, with the dissertation:The Nouvelle Evangelisation, inculturation en oeuvre d'Haiti .
After his ordination, he held the following positions: assistant of Jacmel Cathedral (1991-1994) and Director of the Diocesan Pastoral Catechetics (1993-1994). Since 1996 he has been Director of the Diocesan Pastoral and catechetical formation, at the same time, since 1999, parish priest of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in "des Orangers" in Jacmel, and professor of pastoral theology at the "Grand Séminaire Notre- Dame "of Port-au-Prince, since 2000 has been a professor at the Institute for Education and the Diocesan Human Promotion of Jacmel.
Elected Bishop of Fort-Liberté, April 8, 2004, was consecrated on June 6 next.
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At 12 o'clock today, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Father Benedict XVI on the balcony overlooking the inner courtyard of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo to pray the Angelus with the faithful and pilgrims present. These are the words of the Pope in introducing the Marian prayer:
Dear brothers and sisters,
In the middle of August, the Christians of East and West jointly celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into heaven. In the Catholic Church, the dogma of the Assumption - as is known - was proclaimed during the Holy Year of 1950 by my venerable Predecessor, the Servant of God Pope Pius XII. This memory, however, is rooted in the faith of the early centuries of the Church.
In the East, is still called "Dormition of the Virgin." In an ancient mosaic of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, inspired by its own icon of the East " Dormition ", depicts the Apostles who, informed by the Angels at the end of the earthly Mother of Jesus, gathered around the bed of the Virgin . At the center is Jesus who holds in her arms a little girl is Mary, she became the "small" for the Kingdom, and conducted by the Lord into Heaven.
In the Gospel of St. Luke's today's liturgy, we read that Mary "in those days got up and went with haste into the hill country, in a city of Judah" ( Luke 1.39). In those days Mary arose and hastened from Galilee to a town near Jerusalem, in order to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Today we contemplate the climb to the mountain of God and enter into the heavenly Jerusalem, "clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet and on her head a crown of twelve stars" ( Rev 12.1).
The biblical account of the Apocalypse, we read in the liturgy of this feast, is about a struggle between the woman and the dragon, between good and evil. St. John seems to propose anew the very first pages of Genesis, which tell the story of darkness and drama of the sin of Adam and Eve. Our ancestors were defeated by the evil one in the fullness of time, Jesus, Adam, and Mary, New Eve, definitely win the enemy, and this is the joy of this day! With the victory of Jesus over evil, even death are the inner and physical losses. Mary was the first to pick up the Son of God , Jesus , now baby, now is the first to be with Him in glory of heaven.
It 'a great mystery that we celebrate today, is mostly a mystery of hope and joy for all of us in Mary we see the goal towards which all those who know how to tie their lives to Jesus, who know how to follow as he Mary did.This feast speaks of our future, then, tells us that we too will be with Jesus in the joy of God and invites us to have courage, to believe that the power of the Resurrection of Christ can work in us and make us men and women who every day try to live as resurrected, bringing the darkness of evil in the world, the light of the good.
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En ce jour de la fête de l'Assomption de la Vierge Marie, je salue avec joie de langue française les Pèlerins."Aujourd'hui la Vierge Marie, Mère de Dieu dans la gloire east élevée du ciel" . Ainsi elle nous ouvre le chemin de l'espérance. En visage are contemplating, n'hésitons pas a notre redire "oui" au Seigneur inconditionnel.A sa suite dans les jours heureux comme dans les jours difficiles, prions theMagnificat. Que la Vierge Marie veille sur l'Eglise et sur toutes les familles.
I offer a warm welcome to the English-speaking visitors for this Angelus prayer Gathered on the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady. May the example and prayers of Mary, Queen of Heaven, inspire and sustain us on our pilgrimage of faith, That We May Attain too the glory of the Resurrection and the fulfillment of our hope in her Son's promises. Upon you and your families I invoke the Lord's richest blessings!
Gern ich heiße to deutschsprachigen Besucher beim Angelusgebet Pilger und hier willkommen in Castel Gandolfo.Am heutigen Festtag die Kirche der gedenkt Aufnahme in den Himmel Mariens. Wir nicht als eine verehren Maria Persönlichkeit einer vergangenen Zeit, als die Lebendige Sondern, die in der Gegenwart Gottes ist nahe steht und uns. An der wird ihr ewige Schöpfers Plan des sichtbar, ganz den Menschen - und mit Leib Seele - und zu zu erlösen erneuern. Hoffen wir auch, Gott einst in unvergänglicher Freude zu sehen von Angesicht Angesicht zu können. Maria, die Mutter des Herrn, six Unterpfand dieser wunderbaren Zuversicht uns, wir leben in der.
Saludo with afecto a los de lengua española Peregrinos presentes en esta oración Marian. The glorious solemnidad de la Asuncion de la Virgen María, que hoy recordamos, nos abre la esperanza de vida de la Plenitud of Heaven, a la que ya has llegado Ella y en la que nos Aguarda. Loving intercession que por la de la Madre de Dios y gracias bendiciones desciendan Abundantes sobre la Iglesia y el mundo.
Queridos de Peregrinos language Portuguese: bem-vindos home! A Imaculada Virgem or Maria do Céu glory ser elevada a back-dawn and if Imagem from heaven, and Igreja de Sinal and Consolação esperança para a Igreja na pilgrim land. His maternal intercessão desçam pela que sobre Vos and vossas sobre as familias de Deus bênçãos.
Serdecznie pozdrawiam Polakow. Match the Boga Wniebowziętej Ludza zawierzam Caly Kościół w Polsce.Niece Maryja wyprasza wszystkim wierzącym the ludziom dobrej woli obfitość darów the Lask.Niece otacza opieką tych, którzy się do Niej uciekają. Przez Jej rece niece błogosławi Bog wam!
[I cordially greet the Poles. To Mary, assumed into heaven, Mother of God and man, I commend the whole Church in Poland. Mary obtain for all believers and men of good will an abundance of gifts and graces.Wrap as many of his protection to her use. Through it, God bless you!]
Lastly, I greet the Italian pilgrims. In particular I greet the young people of the Diocese of Piazza Armerina and the Universal Christ the King parish in Bitonto. I wish you all a good feast of the Assumption!Thank you. Good Day!
EUROPE: WORLD YOUTH DAY BEGINS IN MADRID SPAIN
WORLD YOUTH DAY, opened with the following greeting from the Vatican Cardinal Rylko. (FULL TEXT)
AUSTRALIA: NEW PROGRAM BRINGS TEACHERS TO REMOTE AREAS
Sydney Archdiocese REPORT
16 Aug 2011
Targetted Teacher Graduates may Teach at Sydney
Schools such as Aquinas College, but from
next year they may chose to head for rural Australia
In a pioneering first, the Archdiocese of Sydney's Catholic Education Office (CEO) has developed an innovative scheme to send three graduates from its targeted graduate recruitment program to schools in the sparsely-populated sprawling rural Wilcannia Forbes Diocese.
Under the scheme the three chosen teacher graduates will be offered incentives to spend three years staffing schools in the rural and remote communities of the Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese.
In addition to gaining invaluable teaching experience, the teacher graduates would be guaranteed high level support and priority employment at one of the many Catholic schools across the Sydney Archdiocese, once their three years are up.
"In addition we may also provide an immersion overseas opportunity for a pilgrimage after the graduate teachers return to Sydney," says Mark Rix, Communications Director and spokesperson for Sydney's CEO.
However if after their three years teaching in the Wilcannia Forbes Diocese, the young teachers wish to continue their time there, then the Sydney CEO will do all it can to support them in their decision and their career as a teacher at a country school.
"We firmly believe in supporting a strong Catholic education for all students whether in metropolitan or rural and regional areas, and work closely with 11 Dioceses across the state," Mr Rix says.
In announcing this break-through scheme yesterday afternoon, Dr Dan White, Director of Schools for the Archdiocese of Sydney's CEO said that although recruiting teachers for remote areas was often extremely difficult, this was a positive way of dealing with the problem and creating a "win win" for all concerned.
"As members of a large Archdiocese such as Sydney, we are delighted to be able to reach out to small dioceses and to help out where we can," Dr White said and believes the benefits from the scheme will not only enhance Catholic education at the rural schools across the Wilcannia-Forbes Dioceses, but enrich the experience and professionalism of the young teachers, who in turn will implement all they have learned when they return to the Catholic school system in Sydney.
For Vince Connor, Director of Schools in the Wilcannia Forbes Diocese, the initiative is an exciting step forward, and arose from discussions he has had with Dr White and Sydney's CEO over the past several months.
"In Wilannia-Forbes we only have 1861 students at our schools across the Diocese, which is relatively few compared to the 65,000 students at schools in Sydney. But what will be of interest to many young teachers is our rich cross-section of students which is made up of more than 12% of Indigenous children," Mr Connor says, pointing out that for teachers, the opportunity to work with Indigenous children and communities is both challenging and extremely rewarding.
A group of Targeted Graduate Teachers with Dr Dan White
at their graduation from Notre Dame last year
In addition to this, Mr Connor believes the three targeted young teachers will gain invaluable professional expertise from the high degree of responsibility they will be given.
"Teachers are seen as community leaders by people throughout our Diocese, and the young teachers recruited via this program, will be not only find themselves teaching with the help of IT and the latest learning tools via computers, but they will also be working with special needs and learning support teachers. This means they will have to make decisions and brief their peers at a level that would be unknown in the city for such a recent graduate," he says.
The targeted graduate teacher recruitment program has been in operation within the Archdiocese of Sydney's for the past 13 years but this is the first time, the scheme is being tailored to add to the expertise of the young teachers while simultaneously adding much needed quality to rural NSW Catholic schools.
For the CEO the original recruitment program was established as a way to find what Mark Rix describes as the "best and brightest" teacher graduates for Sydney's Catholic schools.
Since then, 60 graduates have been chosen each year by the CEO to join the Archdiocese of Sydney's education system not only to ensure the city's Catholic schools continue their high level of quality education but in a bid to retain teachers not just for a few years but over the long term.
"The highest drop-out rate among teachers occurs in the first three years after graduation," says Mr Rix pointing out that at state schools, more than a third of teachers drop out during this initial period. But thanks to the way teachers are recruited by CEO in Sydney, the retention rate of teachers at Catholic schools is far higher and stands at 95% against 70% or less for public schools.
CEO begins its search for 60 targeted graduate teachers across Sydney's universities during the final year of their degrees. Those chosen not only come from Catholic universities such as the University of Notre Dame and the Australian Catholic University, but also from UNSW, the University of Sydney, Macquarie and the University of Western Sydney.
"Throughout the year we have people at CEO who go out and talk to students at the universities, telling them about opportunities with our graduate programs. We also hold open days and give details on our website of how to apply on line. We then conduct interviews after which a final selection is made," Mark Rix explains, adding that CEO's intention has always been not just to "recruit teachers but to keep them!"
To find out more and in particular about the pilot scheme for Wilcannia Forbes Diocese, contact the CEO office atwww.ceosyd.catholic.edu.au
http://www.sydney.catholic.org.au/news/latest_news/2011/2011816_1599.shtml
ASIA: IRAN: 2 WOMEN JAILED FOR CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY
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Tehran (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Two Iranian women jailed in Iran's notorious Evin prison for converting from Islam to Christianity may be executed for apostasy, Radio Farda reported. Amir Javadzadeh, a broadcaster for a London-based Christian radio station, said that the two women could be put to death even though "they were not politically active at all." They “just wanted to serve people according to the Bible,” he said.
Marzieh Amirizadeh, 30, and Maryam Rustampoor, 27, were arrested in March, although they had "converted to Christianity about 10 years ago," Javadzadeh said. They became Christians after "spending a lot of time studying the religion and helping others,” he added.
A number of judicial revisions in Iran have excluded the death sentence for apostasy, but some local courts have recently imposed it (but not carried it out) based on religious scriptures.
Iranian authorities fear rising conversion to Christianity, especially to Evangelical groups.
As part of a crackdown, some 6,500 copies of the Bible were seized, said Majid Abhari, advisor to the Social Issues Committee of the Iranian parliament.
“With regard to the activities of these Christian missionaries to deceive people, especially youngsters, they have begun a huge campaign by spending huge sums” and engaged in “false propaganda” in order to lead the public astray, Abhari complained. The evidence of this: “These books were made with the best paper in the world” and “in pocket size”.
AFRICA: GHANA: OPENING OF COUNSELING CENTER/SCHOOL
BISHOP'S CONFERENCE OF GHANA REPORT: From Steve Kakrabah-Quarshie, Nsuta
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A multi billion cedis Diocesan Formation and Counselling Centre, was recently dedicated at Nsuta in the Jasikan Diocese by Most Rev. George Kocherry, Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana.
It was built by the Jasikan Diocese with the support from its partners in Stuttgart in Germany, and would serve as an Advisory and Research Centre.
The dedication ceremony formed part of the Nuncio’s three-day Pastoral visit to the Diocese, which also took him to Nkwanta and New Ayoma.
Present were Rev. Msgr. Leonard Hope Homeku, Vicar General of the Keta-Akatsi Diocese and Rev. Msgr. Francis Twum Barimah, Vicar General of Koforidua, who represented their Bishops.
Also present were Mr. Solomon K. Donkor, Jasikan District Chief Executive, Chiefs and the various organisations and societies in the Church.
Addressing the gathering, Archbishop Kocherry said the Centre should be used to gain Knowledge, Formation, pastoring and Religious Advancement.
He also requested that the Centre be used to training the youth, whom he described as “our treasure for the future.
“Teach your children to live just, honest and sincere life by living these virtues,” he advised.
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He indicated that the way parents live at home reflects on their children, cautioning parents not to quarrel in the presence of their children.
Archbishop Kocherry advised the youth not to imitate foreign cultures, because Ghana has rich cultures and traditions.
The Nuncio later inaugurated a six-member Board of Directors for the Centre, with Sir James Bebako-Mensah, a retired Civil Servant as the Chairman.
Other members are Mrs. Rose Ofedie, Mrs. Henrietta Diop, Dr. Kwaku Adeah, Mrs. Patricia Aniwa and Rev. Fr. Kofi Appiah, Director of the Centre
In his address, Bishop Mante said the opening of the Centre marked another milestone in the Diocese’s history and the cordial relations between the Diocese and St. Maria Parish in Stuttgart, Germany.
He said the Centre has Hope as its motto because of its specific character “which is a challenge to improve relations with God.”
Bishop Mante advised the people to develop the spirit of hope during the time of difficulties, depression and deprivations.
He thanked the German partners for their support in the evangelisation efforts in the Jasikan Diocese.
Rev. Msgr. Herbert Schmucker, Parish Priest of St. Maria, said his Parish was glad to be part of the project.
Most Rev. Francis Lodonu, Bishop of Ho, congratulated Bishop Mante and the people of the Diocese for building the Centre.
According to him, the Volta Region was first evangelised by the Germans and have therefore become the Region’s greatest partners.
He called on chiefs in the area to release more land to the Diocese for development projects.
Nana Siaw V, Chief of Nsuta, said the Centre be put at the disposal of the youth, who need formation and skills, stating that many people have “fallen by the way side” because of improper counselling.
Nana Siaw suggested that the Centre be made a campus of the Catholic University College of Ghana at Fiapre.
Addressing the students of the Fr. Dogli Memorial Trades School at New Ayoma, Archbishop Kocherry said the Catholic Church “pays particular attention to human development and that is why it has opened many schools”
He asked the students to develop themselves through the acquisition of skills, be disciplined and honest.
The Nuncio said Catholic Schools have fame which should not be soiled.
The Principal of the School, Rev. Msgr. Daniel Buor, said the School which opened in 1997 with 32 students and five teachers, now has 150 students and 25 teachers.
He said so far, the School has had about ¢1.9 billion from Misereor, a German donor agency.
Msgr. Buor appealed for books for their library and a means of transportation.
AMERICA: COLOMBIA: PEACE WEEK BY EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE
The Week for Peace aims to make the efforts of thousands of people who work for the promotion of peace initiatives and for the dignity of the human person visible. The National Secretariat for Social Pastoral of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia and REDEPAZ have managed this project since 1994.
This year's Peace Week aims to create awareness among the citizens with regards to the need to contribute to peace building through individual and collective commitment to support the actions of rehabilitation and compensation to victims, and to promote civil society action for a political solution to the internal armed conflict.
TODAY'S SAINT: AUG. 16: ST. STEPHEN OF HUNGARY
St. Stephen of Hungary
FIRST KING AND PATRON SAINT OF HUNGARY
Feast: August 16
| First King of Hungary, b. at Gran, 975; d. 15 August, 1038.
He was a son of the Hungarian chief Géza and was baptized, together with his father, by Archbishop St. Adalbert of Prague in 985, on which occasion he changed his heathen name Vaik (Vojk) into Stephen. In 995 he married Gisela, a sister of Duke Henry of Bavaria, the future Emperor St. Henry II, and in 997 succeeded to the throne of Hungary. In order to make Hungary a Christian nation and to establish himself more firmly as ruler, he sent Abbot Astricus to Rome to petition Pope Sylvester II for the royal dignity and the power to establish episcopal sees. The pope acceded to his wishes and, in addition, presented him with a royal crown with which he was crowned at Gran on 17 August, 1001 (see HUNGARY.--History). He founded a monastery in Jerusalem and hospices for pilgrims at Rome, Ravenna, and Constantinople. He was a personal friend of St. Bruno of Querfurt and corresponded with Abbot St. Odilo of Cluny.
The last years of his life were embittered by sickness and family troubles. When on 2 September, 1031, his only son, St. Emeric, lost his life on a bear hunt, his cherished hope of transferring the reins of government into the hands of a pious Christian prince were shattered. During his lifetime a quarrel arose among his various nephews concerning the right of succession, and some of them even took part in a conspiracy against his life. He was buried beside his son at Stuhlweissenburg, and both were canonized together in 1083. His feast is on 2 September, but in Hungary his chief festival is observed on 20 August, the day on which his relics were transferred to Buda. His incorrupt right hand is treasured as the most sacred relic in Hungary. |
Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/S/ststephenofhungary.asp#ixzz1VClVKwb1
