In remarks concluding a
week of spiritual exercises here at the Vatican under the theme “the communion
of Christians with God”, Pope Benedict thanked the Archbishop of Kinshasa,
Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya for his guidance over the last number of
days.
The Pope said he enjoyed in particular how the Cardinal peppered his meditations with beautiful stories from his beloved Africa.
The Holy Father added, that he was particularly impressed by a story the Cardinal recounted about a friend who had been in a coma.
While in a coma, the man had the impression of being in a dark tunnel, until finally, he saw a little light and heard beautiful music.
This story, said Pope Benedict could be a parable of our own lives in which sometimes we find ourselves in a dark place, but it is by faith that we see the light and hear beautiful music and feel the heavenly present of God.
The Holy Father also wrote a personal letter to the Cardinal thanking him for leading the retreat.
In the letter, Pope Benedict said, that a source of real joy for him was being able to grasp through the Cardinal the faith, hope and love of the church on the continent of Africa.
The Pope added that the spiritual patrimony of the African church was a huge asset especially when viewed the context of the new evangelization.
SOURCE: http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=568204
The Pope said he enjoyed in particular how the Cardinal peppered his meditations with beautiful stories from his beloved Africa.
The Holy Father added, that he was particularly impressed by a story the Cardinal recounted about a friend who had been in a coma.
While in a coma, the man had the impression of being in a dark tunnel, until finally, he saw a little light and heard beautiful music.
This story, said Pope Benedict could be a parable of our own lives in which sometimes we find ourselves in a dark place, but it is by faith that we see the light and hear beautiful music and feel the heavenly present of God.
The Holy Father also wrote a personal letter to the Cardinal thanking him for leading the retreat.
In the letter, Pope Benedict said, that a source of real joy for him was being able to grasp through the Cardinal the faith, hope and love of the church on the continent of Africa.
The Pope added that the spiritual patrimony of the African church was a huge asset especially when viewed the context of the new evangelization.
SOURCE: http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=568204
AMERICA : FORMER MODEL PETITION AGAINST COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE
PROJECT INSPIRED RELEASE:
What is Project Inspired?
Project Inspired is written by former fashion model Nicole Weider, who believes it’s time for a Hollywood voice to take the best interests of young women to heart. From relationship and style advice to inspirational quotes to a real look at celebrities in the media, Nicole draws from her own experiences to make the message clear to young women: Be a person of value and confidence – be your own best self – through leading a true Christian life. Need a good place to start? Try here!
What is Project
Anti-Cosmo?Cosmopolitan is emblematic of what’s wrong with our culture today. The content of the magazine is predominantly (and often explicitly) about sex. The articles you’ll typically find in its pages advise “hookups” without a hint of emotional connection. Yet, unlike “R” rated movies, there’s no “age limit” for anyone to access it, so young teen girls are reading, absorbing, and acting on its destructive message. Indeed, the increasing focus on sex sex sex encourages the magazine’s impressionable readers to make the most shallow choices imaginable. Because of its popularity (it’s in every supermarket, at the nail salon, in waiting rooms, and on your mom’s nightstand) it has become one of the media’s worst influences on teenage girls. Cosmopolitan needs to change its content or be made harder to access. Join me in my fight to force Cosmopolitan to be more responsible as a guide in the lives of young women. See my videos and posts about this important mission!
SIGN PETITION NOW : http://www.change.org/petitions/cosmopolitan-is-aggressively-marketing-explicit-porn-tips-to-minors-put-cosmo-in-a-non-transparent-wrapper-and-sold-to-adults-only
About Nicole
Nicole Weider is a Salem, Oregon native who moved to Los Angeles and quickly found success as a fashion model at the age of 17. After eight years of modeling and acting, she’s ditched her former life and made it her mission to share her personal story and faith with young women in the hopes of inspiring them – with spirituality, truth and fun! – to live their best lives.
http://www.projectinspired.com/about/
EUROPE : POLAND : 15 KILLED IN TRAIN COLLISION
THENEWS.PL
REPORT:
THENEWS.PL REPORT: The trains, travelling
in from Przemysl to Warsaw and Warsaw to Krakow crashed outside the village of
Szczekociny, near Zawiercie, Silesia province.
"People have probably been killed,” chief inspector from the Zawiercie police force, Andrzej Ĺwieboda told the PAP news agency.
"We do not know exactly how many are injured and how many are dead. It is difficult to talk about numbers," Swieboda added.
The train from Warsaw to Krakow was travelling on the wrong track, say witnesses.
President Bronislaw Komorowski has been in contact with Poland's transport minister and the governor of the Silesian province for details on the disaster and rescue mission.
“The president is being kept informed,” said President Komorowski's spokeswoman Joanna Trzaska-Wieczorek.
“All indications are that this is one of the most serious rail accidents in recent years in our country,” Transport Minister Slawomir Nowak told the TVN 24 news channel.
Silesian fire brigade spokesman Jaroslaw Wojtasik informed that 200 fire fighters are attending the crash site. Two Air Rescue helicopters from Warsaw and Wroclaw have also been called to help in rescue operations. (pg)
SOURCE http://thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/92168,15-dead-in-train-crash-south-west-Poland
Rescuers try to free trapped passengers at crash site: photo - PAP/Andrzej
Grygiel
"People have probably been killed,” chief inspector from the Zawiercie police force, Andrzej Ĺwieboda told the PAP news agency.
"We do not know exactly how many are injured and how many are dead. It is difficult to talk about numbers," Swieboda added.
The train from Warsaw to Krakow was travelling on the wrong track, say witnesses.
President Bronislaw Komorowski has been in contact with Poland's transport minister and the governor of the Silesian province for details on the disaster and rescue mission.
“The president is being kept informed,” said President Komorowski's spokeswoman Joanna Trzaska-Wieczorek.
“All indications are that this is one of the most serious rail accidents in recent years in our country,” Transport Minister Slawomir Nowak told the TVN 24 news channel.
Silesian fire brigade spokesman Jaroslaw Wojtasik informed that 200 fire fighters are attending the crash site. Two Air Rescue helicopters from Warsaw and Wroclaw have also been called to help in rescue operations. (pg)
SOURCE http://thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/92168,15-dead-in-train-crash-south-west-Poland
AFRICA : SOMALIA : 3 JOURNALISTS KILLED IN 2 MONTHS
CISA
REPORT:Cisa News
MOGADISHU, March 02, 2012
(CISA) -The killing of a third journalist in just two months in Mogadishu
is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by media workers and activists in the
Somali capital, Amnesty International has said.
MOGADISHU, March 02, 2012
(CISA) -The killing of a third journalist in just two months in Mogadishu
is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by media workers and activists in the
Somali capital, Amnesty International has said.
Abukar Hasan Mohamud ‘Kadaf’, the former
director of private radio station Somaliweyn, was shot dead by unidentified
gunmen on Tuesday February 27 evening in front of his home in the Wadajir
district of Mogadishu. He was buried on Wednesday in the capital.
He was reportedly working with a youth and
peace organization after Radio Somaliweyn was raided and closed down by the
al-Shabab armed group in May 2010.
He is the third journalist to be killed in a
targeted attack in the last two months in Mogadishu, despite the city now being
under the control of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and African Union
forces.
“Security will not be achieved in
government-controlled areas until those who are responsible for attacks on media
workers and activists are held to account,” said Michelle Kagari, Deputy
Director for Amnesty International’s Africa programme.
“Every effort must be made to stop a
re-emerging pattern of targeted killings against civil society actors. This
includes conducting thorough investigations into the murders, ensuring that
perpetrators are brought to justice in fair trials, and re-establishing the rule
of law.”
Though journalists and civil society actors
have been continuously at risk in Somalia, targeted attacks against them peaked
in 2007 and 2008.
At the London international conference on
Somalia last week, the international community highlighted the need for
journalists to operate freely and without fear. It called for action to address
human rights violations and abuses and committed to focus more on supporting the
Somali justice and security sectors.
“The international community should now put
these commitments into practice and step up efforts to help rebuild the rule of
law in Somalia. It is essential that Somali civil society actors, who continue
to risk their lives, are fully consulted in ways to improve their protection,”
said Michelle Kagari.
At least 25 Somali journalists have been killed
in Somalia since 2007, and many others have been injured.
Though the TFG opened investigations into these
last killings, and reportedly held suspects, these have not led to criminal
prosecutions.
No one has been brought to justice for any of
these attacks. All parties to the conflict have threatened and attacked
journalists and civil society actors, and have restricted freedom of
expression.
ASIA : PAKISTAN : APPEAL TO DECLARE SHAHBAZ BHATTI A MARTYR
ASIA NEWS
REPORT: by Jibran Khan - Shafique Khokhar
Masses are celebrated and prayer vigils held in various cities on the first anniversary of his death. In the capital, a torchlight procession reaches the scene of his murder by Muslim extremists. Paul Bhatti receives the APMA flag as an encouragement to continue Shahbaz's mission. Thanks to latter's work, four seats have been reserved for minorities in the upcoming senate elections.
Islamabad (AsiaNews) - Pakistani Christians, but also Muslims, Hindus and other minorities are appealing to Pope Benedict XVI to make "Shahbaz Bhatti, a martyr of the Church". They did so at ceremonies marking the first anniversary of the Catholic minister assassinated on 2 March 2011. Masses and prayer vigils were held in Faisalabad, his birthplace of Khushpur (Punjab), Lahore, Multan, Karachi and other locations.
In the capital, Islamabad, where Bhatti was killed by extremists, a final ceremony was held with a torchlight procession (pictured) passing by his home, scene of the deadly ambush.
During the ceremony, a group of activists handed Paul Bhatti, Shahbaz's brother and national harmony adviser to Prime Minister Gilani, a flag of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), an organisation founded by the slain minister, to encourage him to continue the fight for equality of rights for all citizens.
Shahbaz Bhatti was killed in the morning of 2 March 2011 on his way to work, his body riddled with some 30 bullets.
For months, the authorities tried to cover up the affair, blaming the murder on a family dispute and later, on financial matters.
So far, it is unclear who carried out the attacks, but the murder was immediately claimed by an extremist Pakistani faction. Police acknowledge that they are still in the dark.
Still, many in Pakistan want to keep Shahbaz Bhatti's memory alive, by promoting his political-cultural testament in favour of a secular and multicultural Pakistan as the Father of the Nation, Ali Jinnah, had envisaged it.
Mons. Joseph Coutts, archbishop of Karachi and a personal friend of Shahbaz Bhatti, celebrated the memorial Mass. In his homily, the prelate said, "Shahbaz Bhatti is alive in our memories for his mission and sacrifice in the name of Christianity. He was the ambassador of peace, love, and quality and brotherhood, and we will continue our struggle in his footsteps."
Fr Anjum Nazir praised Shahbaz's unwavering faith. Indeed, "He always had a Rosary with him that showed his bonding with the faith."
Interpreting the wishes of Pakistan's Christian community, Fr Pervez Emmanuel appealed "to the pope to declare Shahbaz Bhatti a Martyr of the Church".
The Minority Affairs minister was killed for his fight against the country's blasphemy legislation and for defending Asia Bibi, the 45-year-old mother of five sentenced to death on charges stemming from the 'black law'.
Fr Pervaiz, parish priest in predominantly Catholic Khushpur, spoke about the upcoming Senate elections, where for the first time and thanks to the late minister's efforts, four seats will be assigned to minority representatives. "This is the result of Shahbaz's work," he said.
"Shahbaz Bhatti lived his life as a true follower of Jesus Christ," said P. Anwar Patras. "He knew he would be assassinated but stood firm for the voiceless and the marginalised communities."
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pakistan-Christians-appeal-to-pope-to-make-Shahbaz-Bhatti,-a-martyr-of-the-Church-24137.html
Masses are celebrated and prayer vigils held in various cities on the first anniversary of his death. In the capital, a torchlight procession reaches the scene of his murder by Muslim extremists. Paul Bhatti receives the APMA flag as an encouragement to continue Shahbaz's mission. Thanks to latter's work, four seats have been reserved for minorities in the upcoming senate elections.
Islamabad (AsiaNews) - Pakistani Christians, but also Muslims, Hindus and other minorities are appealing to Pope Benedict XVI to make "Shahbaz Bhatti, a martyr of the Church". They did so at ceremonies marking the first anniversary of the Catholic minister assassinated on 2 March 2011. Masses and prayer vigils were held in Faisalabad, his birthplace of Khushpur (Punjab), Lahore, Multan, Karachi and other locations.
In the capital, Islamabad, where Bhatti was killed by extremists, a final ceremony was held with a torchlight procession (pictured) passing by his home, scene of the deadly ambush.
During the ceremony, a group of activists handed Paul Bhatti, Shahbaz's brother and national harmony adviser to Prime Minister Gilani, a flag of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), an organisation founded by the slain minister, to encourage him to continue the fight for equality of rights for all citizens.
Shahbaz Bhatti was killed in the morning of 2 March 2011 on his way to work, his body riddled with some 30 bullets.
For months, the authorities tried to cover up the affair, blaming the murder on a family dispute and later, on financial matters.
So far, it is unclear who carried out the attacks, but the murder was immediately claimed by an extremist Pakistani faction. Police acknowledge that they are still in the dark.
Still, many in Pakistan want to keep Shahbaz Bhatti's memory alive, by promoting his political-cultural testament in favour of a secular and multicultural Pakistan as the Father of the Nation, Ali Jinnah, had envisaged it.
Mons. Joseph Coutts, archbishop of Karachi and a personal friend of Shahbaz Bhatti, celebrated the memorial Mass. In his homily, the prelate said, "Shahbaz Bhatti is alive in our memories for his mission and sacrifice in the name of Christianity. He was the ambassador of peace, love, and quality and brotherhood, and we will continue our struggle in his footsteps."
Fr Anjum Nazir praised Shahbaz's unwavering faith. Indeed, "He always had a Rosary with him that showed his bonding with the faith."
Interpreting the wishes of Pakistan's Christian community, Fr Pervez Emmanuel appealed "to the pope to declare Shahbaz Bhatti a Martyr of the Church".
The Minority Affairs minister was killed for his fight against the country's blasphemy legislation and for defending Asia Bibi, the 45-year-old mother of five sentenced to death on charges stemming from the 'black law'.
Fr Pervaiz, parish priest in predominantly Catholic Khushpur, spoke about the upcoming Senate elections, where for the first time and thanks to the late minister's efforts, four seats will be assigned to minority representatives. "This is the result of Shahbaz's work," he said.
"Shahbaz Bhatti lived his life as a true follower of Jesus Christ," said P. Anwar Patras. "He knew he would be assassinated but stood firm for the voiceless and the marginalised communities."
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pakistan-Christians-appeal-to-pope-to-make-Shahbaz-Bhatti,-a-martyr-of-the-Church-24137.html
AUSTRALIA : WORD ON FIRE CATHOLICISM FR. ROBERT BARRON ARRIVES
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese
REPORT
2 Mar 2012
Chicago priest Fr Robert Barron, often described as "one of
the Church's best messengers" and director of the very popular new
evangelisation ministry Word on Fire arrives in Australia this weekend for a
series of speaking engagements.
Accompanied by his film crew Fr Barron will also be interviewing a number of our leading clergy including the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell.
Ordained in 1986 Fr Barron is the Francis Cardinal George Professor of Faith and Culture at the University of St. Mary of the Lake near Chicago.
However it was Cardinal Francis who gave him the task of "converting Chicago".
Fr Barron launched "Word on Fire Catholic Ministries", a non-profit organisation which supports his evangelistic endeavours. His programs are broadcast in the United States on television, radio and his website. He writes articles, commentaries and blogs regularly and is called upon frequently to comment on faith and church matters for the secular media.
On top of that he travels extensively filming and lecturing.
His recent 10-part documentary The Catholicism Project took him to 16 countries. Apologists to priests and parishioners have called the series the best they have seen. It features everything from the early philosophers and saints to baseball and even the slums of Calcutta. True reality TV.
Last year
Fr Barron became the first priest since Archbishop Fulton Sheen in the 1950s to
have a regular, national program on a commercial television network in the
US.
He has been described
as providing a deep and profound excursion into spirituality, logic and the
human experience and his insights on life's most challenging issues "shake you
to the core".
Fr Barron's first lecture is the Harman Lecture at the John Paul 11 Institute in Melbourne at 3pm.
He will then talk to a group of young people Sunday night at Theology in the Pub at the Cardinal Know Centre followed by another talk on Monday morning and Monday night at ACU.
Then it is on to Ballarat and the ACU Aquinas Campus before heading to Sydney where on Wednesday night he will be at Guardians, St Charbel's at Punchbowl; Thursday morning at 11am thee will be a talk and screening at the ACY Strathfield Campus; Saturday a talk for priests, religious and educators also at Strathfield and on Sunday night at 8pm a talk and screening at Our Lady of Lebanon Parish Centre at Harris Park. His final Sydney talk and screening will be to teachers of the Archdiocese of Sydney before heading to Brisbane and Canberra.
While in Sydney Fr Barron will also interview Cardinal Pell for his television program in the US and Catholic Communications will interview Fr Barron for this website and our social network xt3.com and also record one of his lectures.
ACU is the major sponsor for Fr Robert Barron's Australian tour. For more information visit
http://students.acu.edu.au/student_life/campus_community/faith_on_campus/upcoming_events/frrobertbarron/
SOURCE http://www.sydneycatholic.org/news/latest_news/2012/201232_604.shtml
2 Mar 2012
Fr Barron filming his 10-part documentary
series
Accompanied by his film crew Fr Barron will also be interviewing a number of our leading clergy including the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell.
Ordained in 1986 Fr Barron is the Francis Cardinal George Professor of Faith and Culture at the University of St. Mary of the Lake near Chicago.
However it was Cardinal Francis who gave him the task of "converting Chicago".
Fr Barron launched "Word on Fire Catholic Ministries", a non-profit organisation which supports his evangelistic endeavours. His programs are broadcast in the United States on television, radio and his website. He writes articles, commentaries and blogs regularly and is called upon frequently to comment on faith and church matters for the secular media.
On top of that he travels extensively filming and lecturing.
His recent 10-part documentary The Catholicism Project took him to 16 countries. Apologists to priests and parishioners have called the series the best they have seen. It features everything from the early philosophers and saints to baseball and even the slums of Calcutta. True reality TV.
On-the-road with Fr Barron
Fr Barron's first lecture is the Harman Lecture at the John Paul 11 Institute in Melbourne at 3pm.
He will then talk to a group of young people Sunday night at Theology in the Pub at the Cardinal Know Centre followed by another talk on Monday morning and Monday night at ACU.
Then it is on to Ballarat and the ACU Aquinas Campus before heading to Sydney where on Wednesday night he will be at Guardians, St Charbel's at Punchbowl; Thursday morning at 11am thee will be a talk and screening at the ACY Strathfield Campus; Saturday a talk for priests, religious and educators also at Strathfield and on Sunday night at 8pm a talk and screening at Our Lady of Lebanon Parish Centre at Harris Park. His final Sydney talk and screening will be to teachers of the Archdiocese of Sydney before heading to Brisbane and Canberra.
While in Sydney Fr Barron will also interview Cardinal Pell for his television program in the US and Catholic Communications will interview Fr Barron for this website and our social network xt3.com and also record one of his lectures.
ACU is the major sponsor for Fr Robert Barron's Australian tour. For more information visit
http://students.acu.edu.au/student_life/campus_community/faith_on_campus/upcoming_events/frrobertbarron/
SOURCE http://www.sydneycatholic.org/news/latest_news/2012/201232_604.shtml
TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : SAT. MARCH 3, 2012
| Matthew
5: 43 - 48
| |
| 43 | "You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' |
| 44 | But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, |
| 45 | so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. |
| 46 | For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? |
| 47 | And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? |
| 48 | You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. |
TODAY'S SAINT : MARCH 3 : ST. KATHARINE DREXEL
St. Katharine Drexel
VIRGIN & FOUNDRESS
Feast: March 3
 Information:
|
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. on 26 November
1858, Katharine was the second daughter of Francis Anthony Drexel, a wealthy
banker, and his wife, Hannah Jane. The latter died a month after Katharine's
birth, and two years later her father married Emma Bouvier, who was a devoted
mother, not only to her own daughter Louisa (born 1862), but also to her two
step-daughters. Both parents instilled into the children by word and example
that their wealth was simply loaned to them and was to be shared with
others.
Katharine was educated privately at home; she travelled
widely in the United States and in Europe. Early in life she became aware of the
plight of the Native Americans and the Blacks; when she inherited a vast fortune
from her father and step-mother, she resolved to devote her wealth to helping
these disadvantaged people. In 1885 she established a school for Native
Americans at Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Later, during an audience with Pope Leo XIII, she asked him
to recommend a religious congregation to staff the institutions which she was
financing. The Pope suggested that she herself become a missionary, so in 1889
she began her training in religious life with the Sisters of Mercy at
Pittsburgh.
In 1891, with a few companions, Mother Katharine founded the
Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People. The title of
the community summed up the two great driving forces in her life—devotion to the
Blessed Sacrament and love for the most deprived people in her country.
Requests for help reached Mother Katharine from various
parts of the United States. During her lifetime, approximately 60 schools were
opened by her congregation. The most famous foundation was made in 1915; it was
Xavier University, New Orleans, the first such institution for Black people in
the United States.
In 1935 Mother Katharine suffered a heart attack, and in
1937 she relinquished the office of superior general. Though gradually becoming
more infirm, she was able to devote her last years to Eucharistic adoration, and
so fulfil her life’s desire. She died at the age of 96 at Cornwell Heights,
Pennsylvania, on 3 March 1955. Her cause for beatification was introduced in
1966; she was declared Venerable by Pope John Paul II on 26 January 1987, by
whom she was also beatified on 20 November
1988.
|
source: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/K/stkatharinedrexel.asp#ixzz1o3ZjDKfN
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment