AMERICA: MEXICO: CHURCH CALLS FOR SAFETY FOR JOURNALISTS
EUROPE: ENGLAND: NEW BISHOP INSTALLED AT WESTMINISTER
ASIA: INDONESIA: TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP WITH COLLEGES
AUSTRALIA: 200 CHARITIES OFFER TO HELP REFUGEES
AFRICA: KENYA: RIP FR. ATTILIO LERDA: MAN OF THE YOUTH
TODAY'S SAINT: SEPT. 18: ST. JOSEPH OF CUPERTINO
TODAY'S MASS READINGS: 25th SUN. OF ORDINARY TIME/ YEAR A
The Holy Father then went on to praise the men and women, families, and communities “who accept, as he put it, to work in the vineyard of the Lord, an image taken from Sunday’s Gospel.
These people, the Pope added, are “Humble, generous workers who ask no other recompense but to participate in the mission of Jesus and his Church.”
“In this Sunday’s Gospel, we hear Jesus compare the Kingdom of Heaven to the actions of a landowner who is generous to all the workers in his vineyard. Perhaps at times we may feel envious of the success of others or feel that we have not been sufficiently thanked for our service. May we always strive to be humble servants of the Lord and rejoice when God bestows abundant graces on those around us. “
Continuing on this theme of evangelisation Pope Benedict turned to the great figure of St Paul, a man who embodied the “new evangelisation”. St Paul the Pope recalled said “Life to me is Christ”. He said this, continued the Pope, because he understood that Jesus is a man in whom God himself lives” and not just a religious leader or master of wisdom.
In concluding words on Sunday Pope Benedict asked the German people to pray for him during his upcoming visit to his homeland.
AMERICA: MEXICO: CHURCH CALLS FOR SAFETY FOR JOURNALISTS
According to Fr. Beltran, who works in the field of mass media must recognize, as in the ancient prophets, that "every communicator is an apostle of truth". In the work of journalists "there is a coherence that sometimes ends up investing the very lives of journalists and makes them martyrs of communication". The person in charge of the Archdiocese, Father Beltran, made an appeal not to give up this "work of truth and to continue to faithfully give information".
"The State must guarantee the practice and self-expression, of those who dedicate themselves in this field in a professional manner", he continued. Sometimes, he added this profession becomes "a very special vocation, because it is not something profitable, but a passion to pursue the truth. Fr. Beltran makes a comparison: "The task is to defend the faith they profess to their last breath. So, in the field of communication, the role of journalists is to defend the value of truth till their dying breath".
Last Sunday a march to demonstrate publicly against targeted violence was held in Mexico City, with the theme "The worst crime is silence" organized by the Human Rights Commission of the Federal District. (CE)http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=29870&lan=eng
EUROPE: ENGLAND: NEW BISHOP INSTALLED AT WESTMINISTER
CATHOLIC HERALD REPORT: By STAFF REPORTER on Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Bishop John Sherrington
Nottingham priest and moral theologian John Sherrington was ordained an Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster today at Westminster Cathedral, the mother church of England and Wales.
He said at his ordination Mass that it was “an exciting time to become a bishop”.
Bishop Sherrington said: “In the light of the Pope’s visit last year and the deep searching within many people for spiritual values and for a better life in the community, the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ can fall on fertile soil if we are courageous to proclaim it.”
The new bishop, ordained by Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster, will be responsible for the Hertfordshire area of the archdiocese and will be chairman of its education commission.
In his homily Archbishop Nichols said Bishop Sherrington was the first bishop to be ordained in England and Wales since Pope Benedict XVI’s visit almost a year ago.
He said an “essential task” of a bishop was to lead the laity towards a “deeper life of faith and service”. “The more faithful you are to your Episcopal ministry, the more you will – and again I use the Holy Father’s words – ‘inspire all Christ’s followers to conform their every thought, word and action to Christ’ “, the archbishop said.
He said: “Your episcopal ministry will bring you great joy but, so too, many challenges. You’re clearly a man blessed with many gifts and a wealth of experience. Nevertheless, there will be moments when you are acutely aware of your weakness and are tempted to consider that even your best efforts are fruitless.
“However, as you have said yourself, ‘you know you need to rely on God’s grace more deeply than ever and to cultivate your life of prayer’ “, the archbishop said.
The ordination Mass was attended by the nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark, Archbishop George Stack of Cardiff, 14 Catholic bishops and over 60 priests.
It was attended by Orthodox, Methodist and other Protestant representatives, as well as several peers.
An apostolic letter from Pope Benedict XVI, read out in the Cathedral, can be heard here.
Bishop Sherrington was ordained a priest for the Nottingham Diocese in 1987 and has been parish priest for the Good Shepherd parish in Nottingham for the past two years. He has also assisted the bishops’ conference on ethical issues and was a part of the working party for the bishops’ conference document Cherishing Life (2005).
After graduating in 1980 with a degree in Mathematics from Cambridge University and two years working for as a management consultants, Fr Sherrington was accepted in 1982 by Bishop McGuinness for the Nottingham diocese and joined seminary at All Hallows in Dublin.
In 1990 he gained an STL in Moral Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome and lectured in moral theology at All Hallows in Dublin and then at St John’s Seminary in Wonersh, Guildford.
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2011/09/14/england-gains-new-bishop/
AUSTRALIA: 200 CHARITIES OFFER TO HELP REFUGEES
Sydney Archdiocese REPORT:
16 Sep 2011
Asylum seekers arriving by boat
More than 200 charities across the country have offered to work with refugees and asylum seekers in an on-shore community-based detention program that the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (ACMRO) believes would reaffirm the human dignity of those who come to our shores and prevent the trauma of being locked up often for a year or more while the claims for asylum are assessed.
"Community-based detention reaffirms the human dignity of the person seeking asylum and is in the best interests of the common good of all humanity," says Father Maurizio Pettena, Director of AMCRO for the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC).
Pointing out that Australia has an exceptional community-led resettlement program for refugees, Fr Pettena says 200 charities involved in this work, have expressed their passion and commitment to work with asylum seekers if the Government adopted a community-based detention program which would allow them to live as normally as possible during the often long period it takes to have their claims processed.
"The human drive to escape war and poverty will continue to prompt asylum seekers to find alternatives, potentially placing their lives in even greater danger of exploitation and abuse," he says and insists when people flee war zones, torture and persecution it is not by choice, but desperation.
These Asylum Seekers Were Processed in
Australia. Others will not be so lucky
"No one wants to be in this situation and while the current Government has done much to humanise the approach towards asylum seekers, we would urge them to stop and reflect on their motives before going ahead with their current plan to change the Migration Act."
The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard hopes to pass legislation next week which would amend the current Migration Act, overturning the recent decision of the High Court that ruled the export of asylum seekers from Australia to a third country where human rights protections could not be guaranteed was unlawful.
The High Court's decision effectively scuttled its much touted "Malaysian solution" which would have seen 800 asylum seekers sent to Kuala Lumpur in exchange for 4000 processed refugees currently living in Malaysia.
The Government's advisers believe the High Court judgement may also preclude processing asylum seekers at the former Howard Government's detention centres on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea and on Nauru. Despite both nations now signatories to the UN Convention on Human Rights there are currently no domestic laws in place to support these protections and under the High Court ruling may mean that transferring asylum seekers there may also be unlawful.
Intent on pursuing its Malaysian solution, the Gillard Government is also determined to alter the Migration Act to enable it to deport children and unaccompanied minors who arrive on our shores to Malaysia or other countries for processing. Currently the Minister of Immigration is legal guardian to any asylum seekers who are under age or unaccompanied minors, and is obligated to act in their best interests.
fr Maurizio Pettana
"We urge the Government not to change the Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act which would allow the transfer of children and unaccompanied minors," Fr Pettena says. "These young people are among the most vulnerable in the world. The moral and decent thing is to process their asylum claims in Australia."
Fr Pettena also points out that despite the Government's insistence on pursing its "off shore processing" agenda that this does not solve the underlying problem.
People in danger who are forced to flee conflict zones or persecution in search of a dignified life with access to health, education, employment, and above all safety for themselves and their children will not stop trying to reach Australia's shores.
"The lives of our brothers and sisters would be severely affected by any changes to the Migration Ac the numbers of asylum seekers Australian can expect are not so large that we can't manage to deal with them effectively and with humanity," he says.
ASIA: INDONESIA: TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP WITH COLLEGES
Universities in Indonesia and the Philippines have begun co-operating on a program to train students in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in the field of education.
The program was the result of a week-long summit in Indonesia that began on September 11 between representatives of the Catholic University of Widya Mandalain East Java and De La Salle University-Dasmarinas.
Representatives had previously met in the Philippines to discuss the project in January.
The use of ICT, according to the plan, aims to facilitate learning at both universities using new computer hardware, software and networking and communication technology.
“The use of ICT has a wide influence. That is why we wanted to develop it in the field of education,” said Renz Gabriel Refon, a lecturer from De La Salle.
“We believe this cooperation will be beneficial to both reputable universities.”
Egidius Mau, a student at Widya Mandala, said collaboration between the two schools would offer new opportunities.
“It is good to see how far ICT can be used in the field of education,” he said, adding that the technology could improve the classroom experience for all students.
http://www.ucanews.com/2011/09/16/colleges-find-technology-partnership/
AFRICA: KENYA: RIP FR. ATTILIO LERDA: MAN OF THE YOUTH
The burial was preceded by an exequil mass at the Our Lady Consolata Cathedral in Nyeri town. The mass was presided over by Archbishop Peter Kairo of Nyeri Archdiocese. In attendance was bishop of Embu Paul Kariuki, the, Fr Franco Cellana, Consolata Missionaries Regional Superior and over 30 priests.
The homily was delivered by Fr John Bonanomi who had the opportunity to work with Fr Lerda for many years in formation. Fr Bonanomi described him as a simple and down-to-earth person.
“He was a real and dear friend to me. He is now with the lord and he is in joy,” he added
Fr Lerda worked in the field of animation and formation for many years. He had zeal of working with the youth as evident in his assignments. He was a teacher, vocations animator, vocations director, formator, assistant novice master among others.
He was in the Vocations Director office for 14 years. He personally contacted all the missionary priests and brothers who joined the Consolata Institute during these years and he proposed them for admission into the Consolata Missionary Family.
“He was a real teacher and a man of the youth. I want to emphasize three things about Fr Attilio, his humility, his availability and his sacrifice which we should emulate,” said Fr Cellana.
Fr Attilio first came to Kenya in 1969 and left for England in 1980. He came back in 1991 and spent the last 20 years of his mission in animation, as a Vocations Director, Spiritual Director and formator.
TODAY'S SAINT: SEPT. 18: ST. JOSEPH OF CUPERTINO
St. Joseph of CupertinoMYSTIC
Feast: September 18
Information:
Feast Day:
September 18
Born:
June 17, 1603, Copertino, Puglia, Kingdom of Naples
Died:
September 18, 1663, Osimo, Marche, Papal States
Canonized:
July 16, 1767, Rome by Pope Clement XIII
Patron of:
Aviation, astronauts, mental handicaps, test taking, students
Mystic, born 17 June, 1603; died at Osimo 18 September, 1663; feast, 18 September. Joseph received his surname from Cupertino, a small village in the Diocese of Nardo, lying between Brindisi and Otranto in the Kingdom of Naples. His father Felice Desa, a poor carpenter, died before Joseph was born and left some debts, in consequence of which the creditors drove the mother, Francesca Panara, from her home, and she was obliged to give birth to her child in a stable. In his eighth year Joseph had an ecstatic vision while at school and this was renewed several times; so that the children, seeing him gape and stare on such occasions, lost to all things about him, gave him the sobriquet "Bocca Aperta". At the same time he had a hot and irascible temper which his strict mother strove hard to overcome. He was apprenticed to a shoemaker, but at the age of seventeen he tried to be admitted to the Friars Minor Conventuals and was refused on account of his ignorance. He then applied to the Capuchins at Martino near Tarento, where he was accepted as a lay-brother in 1620, but his continual ecstasies unfitted him for work and he was dismissed. His mother and his uncles abused him as a good-for-nothing, but Joseph did not lose hope. By his continued prayers and tears he succeeded in obtaining permission to work in the stable as lay help or oblate at the Franciscan convent of La Grotella near Cupertino. He now gave evidence of great virtues, humility, obedience, and love of penance to such an extent that he was admitted to the clerical state in 1625, and three years later, on 28 March he was raised to the priesthood. Joseph was but little versed in human knowledge, for his biographers relate that he was able to read but poorly, yet infused by knowledge and supernatural light he not only surpassed all ordinary men in the learning of the schools but could solve the most intricate questions.
His life was now one long succession of visions and other heavenly favours. Everything that in any way had reference to God or holy things would bring on an ecstatic state: the sound of a bell or of church music, the mention of the name of God or of the Blessed Virgin or of a saint, any event in the life of Christ, the sacred Passion, a holy picture, the thought of the glory in heaven, all would put Joseph into contemplation. Neither dragging him about, buffeting, piercing with needles, nor even burning his flesh with candles would have any effect on him - only the voice of his superior would make him obey. These conditions would occur at any time or place, especially at Mass or during Divine Service. Frequently he would be raised from his feet and remain suspended in the air. Besides he would at times hear heavenly music. Since such occurrences in public caused much admiration and also disturbance in a community, Joseph for thirty-five years was not allowed to attend choir, go to the common refectory, walk in procession or say Mass in church, but was ordered to remain in his room, where a private chapel was prepared for him. Evil-minded and envious men even brought him before the Inquisition, and he was sent from one lonely house of the Capuchins or Franciscans to another, but Joseph retained his resigned and joyous spirit, submitting confidently to Divine Providence. He practised mortification and fasting to such a degree, that he kept seven Lents of forty days each year, and during many of them tasted no food except on Thursdays and Sundays. His body is in the church at Osimo. He was beatified by Benedict XIV in 1753, and canonized 16 July 1767 by Clement XIII; Clement XIV extended his office to the entire Church. His life was written by Robert Nuti (Palermo, 1678). Angelo Pastrovicchi wrote another in 1773, and this is used by the Bollandist "Acta SS.", V, Sept., 992.
TODAY'S MASS READINGS: 25th SUN. OF ORDINARY TIME/ YEAR A
| Isaiah 55: 6 - 9 | |
| 6 | "Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; |
| 7 | let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. |
| 8 | For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD. |
| 9 | For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. |
2Every day I will bless thee, and praise thy name for ever and ever.3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.8The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.17The LORD is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings.18The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.
20as it is my eager expectation and hope that I shall not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.22If it is to be life in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.23I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.24But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.27Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
1"For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.2After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.3And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market place;4and to them he said, `You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went.5Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same.6And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing; and he said to them, `Why do you stand here idle all day?'7They said to him, `Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, `You go into the vineyard too.'8And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, `Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.'9And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius.10Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius.11And on receiving it they grumbled at the householder,12saying, `These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.'13But he replied to one of them, `Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius?14Take what belongs to you, and go; I choose to give to this last as I give to you.15Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?'16So the last will be first, and the first last."
