TELEGRAM FOR THE
VICTIMS OF COACH ACCIDENT IN SWITZERLAND
Vatican City, 15 March 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father has sent a telegram of condolence, through Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., to Archbishop Andre-Mutien Leonard of Mechelen-Brussels, Belgium, for the victims of a coach accident in Sierre. Switzerland, in which twenty-eight people lost their lives, twenty-two of them Belgian children on a school outing.
"Having learned of the tragic coach accident in Switzerland, which caused numerous victims many of them children, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI associates himself in prayer with the suffering of the mourning families, entrusting the victims to the mercy of God and asking Him to welcome them into His light. He expresses his profound sympathy to the injured and their families, and his closeness to rescue workers, praying the Lord to give them help and consolation in their moment of trial. As a token of comfort, the Holy Father confers a special apostolic blessing upon everyone affected by this drama".
STATIONS OF THE CROSS DEDICATED TO THE FAMILY
Vatican City, 15 March 2012 (VIS) - The texts for meditation during this year's Way of the Cross, to be held at the Colosseum on Good Friday, have, by order of the Holy Father, been written by Danilo and Anna Maria Zanzucchi, a married couple and founders of the New Families Movement, which is part of the "Focolari" Movement. The theme of the meditations will be the family, and the Way of the Cross will follow its traditional fourteen stations.
HOLY SEE AND MOZAMBIQUE RATIFY THEIR 2011 AGREEMENT
Vatican City, 15 March 2012 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office today released a communique announcing that the Holy See and the Republic of Mozambique have - with Notes Verbales dated 12 March - given notification of their ratification of the "Agreement on the Principles and Juridical Dispositions Governing Relations between the Holy See and Mozambique", signed in Maputo on 7 December 2011.
"The Agreement", the communique reads, "is made up of a preamble and twenty-three articles which cover various areas such as the juridical status of the Catholic Church in Mozambique, the recognition of academic titles and of canonical marriage, and the fiscal regime. The entry into force of the Agreement consolidates the existing ties of friendship and collaboration between the two parties".
PRESENTATION OF THE HOLY FATHER'S BOOK ON THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH IN ST. AUGUSTINE
Vatican City, 15 March 2012 (VIS) - Yesterday eventing in the German embassy to the Holy See, the presentation took place of a work by Joseph Ratzinger: "The People and the House of God in Doctrine of the Church". The book, the Pope's doctoral thesis from 1953, is part of a series of sixteen volumes which aims to bring together all Joseph Ratzinger's theological works up to the time of his election to the papal throne in 2005.
During the presentation, Bishop Gerhard Ludwig Muller of Regensburg, Germany, who has published the book in collaboration with the Pope Benedict XVI Institute, also based in Regensburg, recalled that "St. Augustine is a thinker, bishop and saint who still spiritually accompanies our Holy Father. The Pope continues to maintain a familiar but in-depth dialogue with the saint, to which his Wednesday catecheses bear ample witness".
Among others, the presentation was attended by Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum"; Cardinal Walter Brandmuller, and Archbishop Robert Zollitsch of Freiburg im Breisgau, president of the German Episcopal Conference.
AUDIENCES
Vatican City, 15 March 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience:
- His Beatitude Gregorios III Laham, Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek-Melkites, Syria.
- Nine prelates of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston, accompanied Auxiliary Bishop-elect George A. Sheltz.
- Bishop Joe Steve Vasquez of Austin.
- Bishop Curtis John Guillory S.V.D. of Beaumont.
- Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, accompanied by Bishop emeritus Raymundo Joseph Pena.
- Bishop William Michael Mulvey of Corpus Christi.
- Bishop Alvaro Corrada del Rio S.J. of Tyler.
- Bishop David Eugene Fellhauer of Victoria in Texas.
- Archbishop Robert Zollitsch of Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 15 March 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Cardinal Edwin Frederick O'Brien, pro-grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, as grand master of that Order.
Vatican City, 15 March 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father has sent a telegram of condolence, through Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., to Archbishop Andre-Mutien Leonard of Mechelen-Brussels, Belgium, for the victims of a coach accident in Sierre. Switzerland, in which twenty-eight people lost their lives, twenty-two of them Belgian children on a school outing.
"Having learned of the tragic coach accident in Switzerland, which caused numerous victims many of them children, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI associates himself in prayer with the suffering of the mourning families, entrusting the victims to the mercy of God and asking Him to welcome them into His light. He expresses his profound sympathy to the injured and their families, and his closeness to rescue workers, praying the Lord to give them help and consolation in their moment of trial. As a token of comfort, the Holy Father confers a special apostolic blessing upon everyone affected by this drama".
STATIONS OF THE CROSS DEDICATED TO THE FAMILY
Vatican City, 15 March 2012 (VIS) - The texts for meditation during this year's Way of the Cross, to be held at the Colosseum on Good Friday, have, by order of the Holy Father, been written by Danilo and Anna Maria Zanzucchi, a married couple and founders of the New Families Movement, which is part of the "Focolari" Movement. The theme of the meditations will be the family, and the Way of the Cross will follow its traditional fourteen stations.
HOLY SEE AND MOZAMBIQUE RATIFY THEIR 2011 AGREEMENT
Vatican City, 15 March 2012 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office today released a communique announcing that the Holy See and the Republic of Mozambique have - with Notes Verbales dated 12 March - given notification of their ratification of the "Agreement on the Principles and Juridical Dispositions Governing Relations between the Holy See and Mozambique", signed in Maputo on 7 December 2011.
"The Agreement", the communique reads, "is made up of a preamble and twenty-three articles which cover various areas such as the juridical status of the Catholic Church in Mozambique, the recognition of academic titles and of canonical marriage, and the fiscal regime. The entry into force of the Agreement consolidates the existing ties of friendship and collaboration between the two parties".
PRESENTATION OF THE HOLY FATHER'S BOOK ON THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH IN ST. AUGUSTINE
Vatican City, 15 March 2012 (VIS) - Yesterday eventing in the German embassy to the Holy See, the presentation took place of a work by Joseph Ratzinger: "The People and the House of God in Doctrine of the Church". The book, the Pope's doctoral thesis from 1953, is part of a series of sixteen volumes which aims to bring together all Joseph Ratzinger's theological works up to the time of his election to the papal throne in 2005.
During the presentation, Bishop Gerhard Ludwig Muller of Regensburg, Germany, who has published the book in collaboration with the Pope Benedict XVI Institute, also based in Regensburg, recalled that "St. Augustine is a thinker, bishop and saint who still spiritually accompanies our Holy Father. The Pope continues to maintain a familiar but in-depth dialogue with the saint, to which his Wednesday catecheses bear ample witness".
Among others, the presentation was attended by Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum"; Cardinal Walter Brandmuller, and Archbishop Robert Zollitsch of Freiburg im Breisgau, president of the German Episcopal Conference.
AUDIENCES
Vatican City, 15 March 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience:
- His Beatitude Gregorios III Laham, Patriarch of Antioch of the Greek-Melkites, Syria.
- Nine prelates of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston, accompanied Auxiliary Bishop-elect George A. Sheltz.
- Bishop Joe Steve Vasquez of Austin.
- Bishop Curtis John Guillory S.V.D. of Beaumont.
- Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, accompanied by Bishop emeritus Raymundo Joseph Pena.
- Bishop William Michael Mulvey of Corpus Christi.
- Bishop Alvaro Corrada del Rio S.J. of Tyler.
- Bishop David Eugene Fellhauer of Victoria in Texas.
- Archbishop Robert Zollitsch of Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 15 March 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Cardinal Edwin Frederick O'Brien, pro-grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, as grand master of that Order.
HOLY ROSARY APP FROM ITUNES - HELPS YOU PRAY
Description
Holy Rosary + The Divine Mercy Chaplet and
Novena included.
INCREDIBLE NEW features...
-PICTURES can be enlarged with 1 tab and than minimized with 2 tabs on the image.
-FOURTH STYLE, another display setting to pray The Holy Rosary.
-A Unique distinct sound when going forward on the Bead Count different when going backward.
HOLY ROSARY is an application made with the intention of promoting the prayer of the Holy Rosary. Accompanied by an intuitive interface, the program includes traditional prayers, mysteries for each day of the week. Has the Preparatory, Act of Contrition, Litany, SALVE and Memorare prayers.
DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET
The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy is a Roman Catholic devotion based on the visions of Saint Mary Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938), known as "the Apostle of Mercy." She was a Polish sister of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and canonized as a Catholic saint in 2000.
REVIEWS............
“It’s a great tool for increase your love to God. And help me in my day life. Thank’s for the app.”
“I like the interface of this application. The beads are large enough to touch and move easily with your finger. You have choices for the type of bead and whether it moves up or down as you pray. Having the portion of Scripture that matches the Mystery you are saying at the beginning of the decade is wonderful! And the small picture gives a visual reminder of the Mystery you are meditating on. Thank you for a great application!”
“The best application so far”
“I usually don’t purchase apps. I go for the free ones. But this app is far less than the price you’d pay for a regular rosary. It does exactly what it says it does and it does it well. I would recommend to anyone.”
FEATURES:
1.) Every Mystery has a PICTURE which helps you reflex on the events of that Mystery and the pictures can be displayed in FULL SCREEN mode with 1 tab and 2 tabs to minimize, for a deeper prayer visualization.
2.) There is a SCRIPTURE from the Catholic Bible for each Mystery to help you meditate on the life of Jesus Christ.
3.) Choose from THREE different DISPLAY STYLES to pray the Holy Rosary (Style 1, Style 2, Style 3 and Style 4).
4.) Easy PRAYING with the following features…
--easily TRACK your bead count, current bead is highlighted and bead progress is marked, helping you see how far to finish praying the Holy Rosary.
--TWO WAYS to Bead count (count by moving beads or count by pressing arrows ).
--CHANGE the DIRECTION you swipe your finger to count the bead (up or down).
--You can GO BACK on any bead count, this helps if you accidentally go forward.
--Changeable bead COLORS.
--Interface designed so you can pray the Holy Rosary with your EYES CLOSED.
4.) SMART application…
--RECOMMENDS the Mystery that is prayed for that day.
--REMEMBERS where you left off from last time you opened and resumes were you left off.
--View mysteries by day or all mysteries (mystery view or day view).
--Has a “RESET” or “CONTINUE” button with regards to the bead count every time you reenter the Holy Rosary.
5.) Has distinct VIBRATE or SOUND on the 10th Hail Mary (vibrate only or vibrate and sound).
6.) Turn on or off LUMINOUS Mystery's.
7.) Turn on or off in the NOVENA to pray with or without the CHAPLET.
8.) Languages (English, Spanish, Latin, Italian, French).
9.) Uses the standard set of prayers used in the VATICAN website.
10.) MANUAL with PICTURES that explains how to use all the different settings.
INCREDIBLE NEW features...
-PICTURES can be enlarged with 1 tab and than minimized with 2 tabs on the image.
-FOURTH STYLE, another display setting to pray The Holy Rosary.
-A Unique distinct sound when going forward on the Bead Count different when going backward.
HOLY ROSARY is an application made with the intention of promoting the prayer of the Holy Rosary. Accompanied by an intuitive interface, the program includes traditional prayers, mysteries for each day of the week. Has the Preparatory, Act of Contrition, Litany, SALVE and Memorare prayers.
DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET
The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy is a Roman Catholic devotion based on the visions of Saint Mary Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938), known as "the Apostle of Mercy." She was a Polish sister of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and canonized as a Catholic saint in 2000.
REVIEWS............
“It’s a great tool for increase your love to God. And help me in my day life. Thank’s for the app.”
“I like the interface of this application. The beads are large enough to touch and move easily with your finger. You have choices for the type of bead and whether it moves up or down as you pray. Having the portion of Scripture that matches the Mystery you are saying at the beginning of the decade is wonderful! And the small picture gives a visual reminder of the Mystery you are meditating on. Thank you for a great application!”
“The best application so far”
“I usually don’t purchase apps. I go for the free ones. But this app is far less than the price you’d pay for a regular rosary. It does exactly what it says it does and it does it well. I would recommend to anyone.”
FEATURES:
1.) Every Mystery has a PICTURE which helps you reflex on the events of that Mystery and the pictures can be displayed in FULL SCREEN mode with 1 tab and 2 tabs to minimize, for a deeper prayer visualization.
2.) There is a SCRIPTURE from the Catholic Bible for each Mystery to help you meditate on the life of Jesus Christ.
3.) Choose from THREE different DISPLAY STYLES to pray the Holy Rosary (Style 1, Style 2, Style 3 and Style 4).
4.) Easy PRAYING with the following features…
--easily TRACK your bead count, current bead is highlighted and bead progress is marked, helping you see how far to finish praying the Holy Rosary.
--TWO WAYS to Bead count (count by moving beads or count by pressing arrows ).
--CHANGE the DIRECTION you swipe your finger to count the bead (up or down).
--You can GO BACK on any bead count, this helps if you accidentally go forward.
--Changeable bead COLORS.
--Interface designed so you can pray the Holy Rosary with your EYES CLOSED.
4.) SMART application…
--RECOMMENDS the Mystery that is prayed for that day.
--REMEMBERS where you left off from last time you opened and resumes were you left off.
--View mysteries by day or all mysteries (mystery view or day view).
--Has a “RESET” or “CONTINUE” button with regards to the bead count every time you reenter the Holy Rosary.
5.) Has distinct VIBRATE or SOUND on the 10th Hail Mary (vibrate only or vibrate and sound).
6.) Turn on or off LUMINOUS Mystery's.
7.) Turn on or off in the NOVENA to pray with or without the CHAPLET.
8.) Languages (English, Spanish, Latin, Italian, French).
9.) Uses the standard set of prayers used in the VATICAN website.
10.) MANUAL with PICTURES that explains how to use all the different settings.
What's New in Version 4.2.2
-fix the text missed in litany to iPhone O.S 2.XiPhone Screenshots
AFRICA : DEM. REP. CONGO : CARITAS PROJECT TO HELP LRA VICTIMS
Cisa News REPORT:
BAS-UELE, March 13, 2012
(CISA) -A Catholic humanitarian organisation, CARITAS has started a
socio-economic reintegration project for more than 28,000 people who have been
affected by activities of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Bondo and Butu in
the Bas-Uele District of Province Orientale.
BAS-UELE, March 13, 2012
(CISA) -A Catholic humanitarian organisation, CARITAS has started a
socio-economic reintegration project for more than 28,000 people who have been
affected by activities of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Bondo and Butu in
the Bas-Uele District of Province Orientale.
According to UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the project aims to improve food security by
re-launching the agricultural sector through the provision of agricultural
inputs and food as well as the improvement of market access through the
rehabilitation of 84 kilometres of roads.
So far more than 3,000 persons have been
displaced in 2012 as a result of LRA attacks in the Bas-Uele and Haut-Uele
Districts, according to OCHA.
In total about 20 attacks the latest reported
on March 8, 2012 have been reported with one person killed and 17
kidnapped.
Abducted people typically end up as porters
while children end up as sexual slaves and child soldiers.
As per the numbers compiled by OCHA and UNHCR,
LRA attacks in Congo have caused the internal displacement of 320,000 people
while around 30,000 Congolese citizens have sought refuge in the Central African
Republic and the Republic of South Sudan since 2008.
SOURCE CISA NEWS AFRICA
AMERICA : CUBA : PROTESTORS OCCUPY CHURCH
Agenzia
Fides REPORT - The Archdiocese of Havana issued a statement regarding the 13
people who have occupied the church of "Our Lady of Charity", in the center of
the capital, where they spent the entire night. "Nobody has the right to
transform churches into political trenches," said the statement, which
continues: "Other groups and other dissidents have been mobilized to take up
other churches, but they refused to do so, considering it a disrespectful act
towards the Church".
The pastor of the church of "Our Lady of Charity", Father Roberto Betancourt, received a letter from the protesters in which they explained the reason of the occupation: ask the Pope to put pressure on the regime so that the reforms are implemented. Protesters promise to leave the place of worship once they receive a reply from the ecclesiastical authorities.
The Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Havana, Ramon Suarez Porcari, went there on Tuesday evening, March 13, when the church was occupied, to listen to the demands of the dissidents, and assured them that their message "would be transmitted". So he asked them to leave the temple, but the group refused. The Church, according to the note, discussed the situation with the Cuban government, which pledged "not to act in any way."
According to the statement which Fides received, this gesture in Havana is part of "a strategy prepared and coordinated in various regions of the island, to create situations of conflict, in view of Benedict XVI’s visit." The Archdiocese of Havana says that the Church listens, accepts, and intercedes for everyone, "but cannot accept attempts to actions that distort the nature of her mission or could threaten the religious freedom of those who visit the churches." "Nobody has the right to destroy the spirit of celebration of the faithful Cubans and many other citizens, who wait with joy and hope Pope Benedict XVI’s visit," the statement concludes.
(CE) (Agenzia Fides 15/3/2012)
The pastor of the church of "Our Lady of Charity", Father Roberto Betancourt, received a letter from the protesters in which they explained the reason of the occupation: ask the Pope to put pressure on the regime so that the reforms are implemented. Protesters promise to leave the place of worship once they receive a reply from the ecclesiastical authorities.
The Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Havana, Ramon Suarez Porcari, went there on Tuesday evening, March 13, when the church was occupied, to listen to the demands of the dissidents, and assured them that their message "would be transmitted". So he asked them to leave the temple, but the group refused. The Church, according to the note, discussed the situation with the Cuban government, which pledged "not to act in any way."
According to the statement which Fides received, this gesture in Havana is part of "a strategy prepared and coordinated in various regions of the island, to create situations of conflict, in view of Benedict XVI’s visit." The Archdiocese of Havana says that the Church listens, accepts, and intercedes for everyone, "but cannot accept attempts to actions that distort the nature of her mission or could threaten the religious freedom of those who visit the churches." "Nobody has the right to destroy the spirit of celebration of the faithful Cubans and many other citizens, who wait with joy and hope Pope Benedict XVI’s visit," the statement concludes.
(CE) (Agenzia Fides 15/3/2012)
AUSTRALIA : RAISING MONEY FOR CHILDREN WITH LUNCH
Catholic
Communications, Sydney Archdiocese REPORT
13 Mar 2012
At the start of
2011, diagnosed with severe developmental delay, four-year-old Ali Rahal was
barely able to walk. Now thanks to CatholicCare's Early Childhood Intervention
Program, the bright-eyed little boy not only has improved mobility but is able
to walk and excitedly looking forward to starting school.
"I just can't praise CatholicCare highly enough," says Ali's mother, Wedad Rahal amazed and delighted with the progress her young son has made over the past few months.
"The CatholicCare therapist, Paula visits us at our home every fortnight and works with Ali and I cannot believe the difference she has made. She's always coming up with new ideas and different ways to develop Ali's mobility and other skills and really understands his needs and how best to meet them," she says.
Ali is one of 100 children in South West Sydney who benefit from extensive therapy and education intervention provided by CatholicCare's dedicated team of early childhood teachers and therapists from the agency's Early Childhood Intervention Program.
The welfare agency for the Archdiocese of Sydney, CatholicCare provides assistance to more than 300,000 men, women and children across the city each year under a variety of programs ranging from counselling for anger management to help with family relationships, parent education, treatment for drug, alcohol or gambling addictions, employment for those with disabilities, youth counselling and job training, respite care for those who look after the elderly, sick or disabled, job opportunities and accommodation assistance for youth at risk.
The agency also provides financial advice and help with budgeting, emergency and long term foster care and intervention and help for children like Ali.
Each year when CatholicCare hosts its annual St Patrick's
Day lunch in the historic Strangers Dining Room at State Parliament House,
Macquarie St there is a fundraiser for one of the agency's programs and this
year monies raised at the lunch will go towards its Early Childhood Intervention
Program.
2012 marks the 11th year CatholicCare has held the lunch. Although it will be one day before the "official" Day, 250 guests will again join CatholicCare CEO, Bernard Boerma this Friday, 16 March at NSW Parliament House to celebrate St Patrick's Day and the important work carried out by the agency.
Taking charge of the live auction and hosting other fundraising events during the lunch will be television game show personality Andrew O'Keefe. Guests attending the lunch will include state and federal politicians, leading clergy from across the Archdiocese and many old and new supporters of CatholicCare.
Last year's lunch raised $32,000 and the agency hopes to equal or top that amount with this year's St Patrick's Day event.
Originally founded by four lay women in 1941 who were among the nation's first accredited social workers, CatholicCare began life as the Sydney Welfare Bureau. Unlike other agencies of the time, this one not only offered help to the city's poor and in need, but identified the major causes of poverty and hardship and sought to address these issues.
The name of the Sydney Welfare Agency was later changed to Centacare and more recently to CatholicCare.
Today the agency employs a staff of more than 900 and operates 100 different programs as well as a national Parentline which can be accessed 24-hour-day, seven days a week.
To find out more about CatholicCare and the valuable work carried out by the agency, log on to www.catholiccare.org.
http://www.sydneycatholic.org/news/latest_news/2012/2012313_1788.shtml
13 Mar 2012
Andrew O'Keefe will put on the green
at CatholicCare's annual
St Patrick's Day Lunch
at CatholicCare's annual
St Patrick's Day Lunch
"I just can't praise CatholicCare highly enough," says Ali's mother, Wedad Rahal amazed and delighted with the progress her young son has made over the past few months.
"The CatholicCare therapist, Paula visits us at our home every fortnight and works with Ali and I cannot believe the difference she has made. She's always coming up with new ideas and different ways to develop Ali's mobility and other skills and really understands his needs and how best to meet them," she says.
Ali is one of 100 children in South West Sydney who benefit from extensive therapy and education intervention provided by CatholicCare's dedicated team of early childhood teachers and therapists from the agency's Early Childhood Intervention Program.
The welfare agency for the Archdiocese of Sydney, CatholicCare provides assistance to more than 300,000 men, women and children across the city each year under a variety of programs ranging from counselling for anger management to help with family relationships, parent education, treatment for drug, alcohol or gambling addictions, employment for those with disabilities, youth counselling and job training, respite care for those who look after the elderly, sick or disabled, job opportunities and accommodation assistance for youth at risk.
The agency also provides financial advice and help with budgeting, emergency and long term foster care and intervention and help for children like Ali.
Four year old Ali Rahal life has
changed
thanks to CatholicCare's Early
Childhood Intervention Program.
thanks to CatholicCare's Early
Childhood Intervention Program.
2012 marks the 11th year CatholicCare has held the lunch. Although it will be one day before the "official" Day, 250 guests will again join CatholicCare CEO, Bernard Boerma this Friday, 16 March at NSW Parliament House to celebrate St Patrick's Day and the important work carried out by the agency.
Taking charge of the live auction and hosting other fundraising events during the lunch will be television game show personality Andrew O'Keefe. Guests attending the lunch will include state and federal politicians, leading clergy from across the Archdiocese and many old and new supporters of CatholicCare.
Last year's lunch raised $32,000 and the agency hopes to equal or top that amount with this year's St Patrick's Day event.
Originally founded by four lay women in 1941 who were among the nation's first accredited social workers, CatholicCare began life as the Sydney Welfare Bureau. Unlike other agencies of the time, this one not only offered help to the city's poor and in need, but identified the major causes of poverty and hardship and sought to address these issues.
The name of the Sydney Welfare Agency was later changed to Centacare and more recently to CatholicCare.
Today the agency employs a staff of more than 900 and operates 100 different programs as well as a national Parentline which can be accessed 24-hour-day, seven days a week.
To find out more about CatholicCare and the valuable work carried out by the agency, log on to www.catholiccare.org.
http://www.sydneycatholic.org/news/latest_news/2012/2012313_1788.shtml
ASIA : LAOS : CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED FOR FAITH
ASIA NEWS
REPORT:
A new convert, the only Christian in a village, faced with an alternative: leave the faith or leave his home and property. At the moment his fate is unknown. In another district, 10 Christian families victims of a deportation order. The Laotian authorities persecute the Protestants considered "part of the US conspiracy".
Vientiane (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The communist authorities in Laos continue their campaign of persecution against the Protestant community, the victim of abuse and violations because it is considered "part of the U.S conspiracy" to overturn the government. In the past, Christians were subject to imprisonment, blackmail and threats designed to make them renounce their faith, expulsions and denied the right to study and medical care. The many conversions recorded in the recent past, particularly among ethnic minorities, have pushed the party leader to strengthen the campaign of repression and only in recent weeks there have been two different cases, against a newly-converted Christian in a village in the province of Luang Namtha and 10 families in Luang Prabang.
The first story concerns a man named Khamla, the only Christian in a village in the district of Viengphuka, Luang Namtha province. He is a recent convert, after being cured of a long illness through the fervent prayers recited every day by a friend in a neighboring district. The authorities have repeatedly ordered him to abandon the Christian faith. At his refusal, on 2 March officers faced him with a choice: leave his home and the village, or renounce his faith. This is because, said some witnesses, "the authorities want to keep Christianity away from Viengphuka". At the moment there is no information about his fate because of strict censorship on the issue.
Instead the second story dates to mid February, when a deportation order was issued by officials of the village of Hueyong, Pakoo district, Luang Prabang province, against 10 Christian families for a total of 65 faithful. Eight of 10 families converted just three months ago, but without the "permission" of religious affairs officer of the area who, therefore, launched a harsh campaign of persecution.
In Laos, a nation led by a communist regime, the majority (67%) are Buddhist, of a total of six million inhabitants, Christians make up about 2% of the population, of which 0.7% are Catholics. The most frequent cases of persecution are against the Protestant Christian community: in the recent past, AsiaNews has documented cases of peasants deprived of food for their faith (see AsiaNews 25/02/2011 Food denied to 65 Laotian farmers to force them to renounce Christianity) or pastors arrested by the authorities (see AsiaNews 12/07/2011 Fears for lives of Protestant pastors in prison for six months).
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Christians-persecuted-in-Laos-as-violations-of-religious-freedom-continue-24246.html
A new convert, the only Christian in a village, faced with an alternative: leave the faith or leave his home and property. At the moment his fate is unknown. In another district, 10 Christian families victims of a deportation order. The Laotian authorities persecute the Protestants considered "part of the US conspiracy".
Vientiane (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The communist authorities in Laos continue their campaign of persecution against the Protestant community, the victim of abuse and violations because it is considered "part of the U.S conspiracy" to overturn the government. In the past, Christians were subject to imprisonment, blackmail and threats designed to make them renounce their faith, expulsions and denied the right to study and medical care. The many conversions recorded in the recent past, particularly among ethnic minorities, have pushed the party leader to strengthen the campaign of repression and only in recent weeks there have been two different cases, against a newly-converted Christian in a village in the province of Luang Namtha and 10 families in Luang Prabang.
The first story concerns a man named Khamla, the only Christian in a village in the district of Viengphuka, Luang Namtha province. He is a recent convert, after being cured of a long illness through the fervent prayers recited every day by a friend in a neighboring district. The authorities have repeatedly ordered him to abandon the Christian faith. At his refusal, on 2 March officers faced him with a choice: leave his home and the village, or renounce his faith. This is because, said some witnesses, "the authorities want to keep Christianity away from Viengphuka". At the moment there is no information about his fate because of strict censorship on the issue.
Instead the second story dates to mid February, when a deportation order was issued by officials of the village of Hueyong, Pakoo district, Luang Prabang province, against 10 Christian families for a total of 65 faithful. Eight of 10 families converted just three months ago, but without the "permission" of religious affairs officer of the area who, therefore, launched a harsh campaign of persecution.
In Laos, a nation led by a communist regime, the majority (67%) are Buddhist, of a total of six million inhabitants, Christians make up about 2% of the population, of which 0.7% are Catholics. The most frequent cases of persecution are against the Protestant Christian community: in the recent past, AsiaNews has documented cases of peasants deprived of food for their faith (see AsiaNews 25/02/2011 Food denied to 65 Laotian farmers to force them to renounce Christianity) or pastors arrested by the authorities (see AsiaNews 12/07/2011 Fears for lives of Protestant pastors in prison for six months).
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Christians-persecuted-in-Laos-as-violations-of-religious-freedom-continue-24246.html
TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : THURS. MARCH 15, 2012
| Luke
11: 14 - 23
| |
| 14 | Now he was casting out a demon that was dumb; when the demon had gone out, the dumb man spoke, and the people marveled. |
| 15 | But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Be-el'zebul, the prince of demons"; |
| 16 | while others, to test him, sought from him a sign from heaven. |
| 17 | But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. |
| 18 | And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Be-el'zebul. |
| 19 | And if I cast out demons by Be-el'zebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. |
| 20 | But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. |
| 21 | When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace; |
| 22 | but when one stronger than he assails him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoil. |
| 23 | He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. |
TODAY'S SAINT : MARCH 15 : ST. LOUISE DE MARILLAC
St. Louise de Marillac
FOUNDRESS AND PATRONESS OF SOCIAL WORKERS
Feast: March 15
 Information:
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Foundress of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul,
born at Paris, 12 August, 1591, daughter of Louis de Marillac, Lord of Ferri
res, and Marguerite Le Camus; died there, 15 March, 1660. Her mother having died
soon after the birth of Louise, the education of the latter devolved upon her
father, a man of blameless life. In her earlier years she was confided to the
care of her aunt, a religious at Poissy. Afterwards she studied under a
preceptress, devoting much time to the cultivation of the arts. Her father's
serious disposition was reflected in the daughter's taste for philosophy and
kindred subjects. When about sixteen years old, Louise developed a strong desire
to enter the Capuchinesses (Daughter of the Passion). Her spiritual director
dissuaded her, however, and her father having died, it became necessary to
decide her vocation. Interpreting her director's advice, she accepted the hand
of Antoine* Le Gras, a young secretary under Maria de' Medici. A son was born of
this marriage on 13 October, 1613, and to his education Mlle Le Gras devoted
herself during the years of his childhood. Of works of charity she never
wearied. In 1619 she became acquainted with St. Francis de Sales, who was then
in Paris, and Mgr. Le Campus, Bishop of Belley, became her spiritual adviser.
Troubled by the thought that she had rejected a call to the religious state, she
vowed in 1623 not remarry should her husband die before her.
M. Le Gras died on 21 December, 1625, after a long illness.
In the meantime his wife had made the acquaintance of a priest known as M.
Vincent (St. Vincent de Paul), who had been appointed superior of the Visitation
Monastery by St. Francis of Sales. She placed herself under his direction,
probably early in 1625. His influence led her to associate herself with his work
among the poor of Paris, and especially in the extension of the Confrérie de la
Charité, an association which he had founded for the relief of the sick poor. It
was this labour which decided her life's work, the founding of the Sisters of
Charity. The history of the evolution of this institute, which Mlle Le Gras
plays so prominent a part, has been given elsewhere (see Charity, Sister of); it
suffices here to say that, with formal ecclesiastical and state recognition,
Mlle Le Gras' life-work received its assurance of success. Her death occurred in
1660, a few month before the death of St. Vincent, with whose labours she had
been so closely united.
(Taken From Catholic Encyclopedia) |
source: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/L/stlouisedemarillac.asp#ixzz1pC64asgO
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