TELEGRAM FOR DEATH OF ITALIAN
ENGINEER KILLED IN NIGERIA
Vatican City, 13 March 2012 (VIS) - Given below is the text of a telegram sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. to Archbishop Enrico Masseroni of Vercelli, Italy, for the funeral of the Italian engineer Francesco Lamolinara. Mr Lamolinara and a British colleague were kidnapped in Nigeria on 12 May 2011 and both men were killed last Thursday in the course of a failed rescue attempt.
"Benedict XVI, informed of the tragic death of the engineer Francesco Lamolinara, wishes to express his deepest condolences to members of the late man's family, and to assure them of his heartfelt participation in their mourning. Recalling the deceased's generous openness towards others and his contribution to peaceful coexistence among peoples, the Pope raises fervent prayers of Christian suffrage for his soul, sending his relatives and friends the comfort of an apostolic blessing, which he extends to everyone participating in the funeral and to the deceased's fellow citizens of Gattinara.
"I too join the mourning and the prayers, and remain close to the relatives and friends whom I met last August to support them in their hope at that difficult moment".
Vatican City, 13 March 2012 (VIS) - Given below is the text of a telegram sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. to Archbishop Enrico Masseroni of Vercelli, Italy, for the funeral of the Italian engineer Francesco Lamolinara. Mr Lamolinara and a British colleague were kidnapped in Nigeria on 12 May 2011 and both men were killed last Thursday in the course of a failed rescue attempt.
"Benedict XVI, informed of the tragic death of the engineer Francesco Lamolinara, wishes to express his deepest condolences to members of the late man's family, and to assure them of his heartfelt participation in their mourning. Recalling the deceased's generous openness towards others and his contribution to peaceful coexistence among peoples, the Pope raises fervent prayers of Christian suffrage for his soul, sending his relatives and friends the comfort of an apostolic blessing, which he extends to everyone participating in the funeral and to the deceased's fellow citizens of Gattinara.
"I too join the mourning and the prayers, and remain close to the relatives and friends whom I met last August to support them in their hope at that difficult moment".
AMERICA : PRAYER MOVEMENT FOR HOLLYWOOD - THE CRY
WHO WE ARERELEASE OF THE CRY WEBSITE: ARTICLE: Read article from CRY Hollywood Director, Faytene Grasseschi: Why Bless Hollywood
TheCRY Hollywood deeply honors the labors of the Hollywood church and prayer networks. A special page dedicated to these ministries and prayer networks will be posted in honor of them shortly.
______________________________________________________________
It's not a
concert.
It's not a conference.
It's a cry.
TheCRY
(Hollywood) is a prayer movement that gathers believers from every denomination,
ethnic background and generation for a full day of prayer, fasting and abandoned
worship. Those who come to TheCRYs believe in the power of prayer, fasting and
speaking the love of God over a city, nation or sphere. It's not a conference.
It's a cry.
Prayer leaders (aka: speakers), worship leaders (aka: musicians) and artists all come at their own expense and serve freely recognizing the day is a corportate offering to the Lord as we, with one heart, pray for Him to move in entertainment media.
The leadership of TheCRY Hollywood is made up of several seasoned leaders from the Hollywood area and beyond. These leaders will lead in prayer, worship and share inspiring sound bytes throughtout the event that will direct the gathering back to prayer. A list of leaders participating in and/or endorsing the event are listed here.
THE POSTURE IS VERTICAL. Those who attend TheCRY Hollywood are not coming to hear speakers or be entertained by but to press into God.
The types of things that will be prayed for during TheCRY Hollywood will be:
- for God to bless those in the entertainment industry and move in their lives powerfully
- for Holy Spirit inspired movies to be released
- for those who are enslaved in the sex trade to be rescued
- for an increasing move of Holy Spirit in our generation
- and more...
- http://www.thecryhollywood.com/Welcome.html
We are believing God to touch the heart of a city, and sphere, that touches the world.
You are invited. We would love to see you there!
______________________________________________________________
EUROPE : IRELAND : SUMMARY OF BISHOPS MEETING
BISHOPS'
CONFERENCE OF IRELAND REPORT:
The following subjects were discussed at the bishops’ spring meeting:
• Lent and preparation for Easter
• Safeguarding Children
• 50th International Eucharistic Congress in Ireland, 10 – 17 June 2012
• Share the Good News: National Directory for Catechesis
• The Solemnity of Saint Patrick
• Trócaire’s 2012 Lenten Campaign “Rebuilding Communities for lasting change”
• Lent and preparation for Easter
In this the season of Lent the call to renewal of our Christian life is a central part of our preparation for Easter. Bishops ask the faithful to offer up their fasting, prayer, reading of Scripture and works of mercy* during Lent 2012 for the grace of healing and renewal for the Church in Ireland. Penance is an essential part of the lives of all Christ’s faithful. It arises from the Lord’s call to conversion and repentance. Christians do penance: in memory of the Passion and death of our Lord; as a sharing in Christ’s suffering; as an expression of inner conversion; as a form of reparation for sin. Drawing particular attention to the ‘concrete initiatives’ proposed by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI in paragraph 14 of his Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland of March 2010, bishops specifically encourage the faithful and parish communities:
• to renew the practice of making the Sign of the Cross as they pass a Church in acknowledgement of the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist and as part of personal preparation for this year’s 50th International Eucharistic Congress in Ireland in June;
• acknowledging the long tradition of fasting on Fridays, manifested in abstaining from meat, to renew this practice;
• to make a special effort to avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Holy Week, with parishes providing additional opportunities for the celebration of the sacrament during this time, as well as leaflets to support the faithful in participating in this sacrament;
• to promote the practice of ‘the Easter Duty’, whereby all the faithful of communicant age are encouraged to approach the sacrament of Penance and to receive Holy Communion at least once a year, during the Easter season (cf. Canon 920);
• to extend the provision and practice of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the period up to the International Eucharistic Congress, and in particular to provide opportunities for children and young people to experience adoration of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Benediction;
• to study and reflect upon the Gospel of Mark during the remainder of the liturgical year, with the assistance of the wide range of supporting materials available online or in Catholic bookshops;
• noting the Message of Pope Benedict XVI for the 46th World Communications Day, entitled ‘Silence and Word: Path of Evangelisation’, to set aside regular times of silence for prayer and reflection as individuals and families, and in particular to maintain an atmosphere of prayerful silence when in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and in Churches generally;
• to make a penitential pilgrimage to Lough Derg during the coming year, in response to the call for ‘self-examination, inner purification and spiritual renewal’ (n.11) in the Pastoral Letter of Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholics of Ireland.
Bishops ask that the faithful avail of Lent as a special time “to pray for an outpouring of God’s mercy and the Holy Spirit’s gifts of holiness and strength upon the Church” in Ireland, as part of the spiritual preparation for the International Eucharistic Congress.
(*The Catechism of the Catholic Church states (n.2447): “The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbour. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God”) (cf. James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17).
• Safeguarding Children
In a wide ranging presentation of the current work being undertaken by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, Mr John Morgan, Chairman, and Ms Teresa Devlin, Director of Safeguarding, addressed the status of the current review process which involves both dioceses and religious congregations. Bishops were advised that it is anticipated that a further seven reviews will have been completed by mid-summer next. Bishops whose dioceses had already been reviewed by the National Board acknowledged the professionalism and help that the NBSCCCI staff extended throughout the process.
Bishops were also advised of the positive endorsement received from engagement with the Deputy Irish Human Rights Commissioner in Dublin, and his legal advisor, in relation to the recently issued Leave from Ministry interim guidance, now applicable on an all-Ireland basis.
The Director of Safeguarding outlined the extensive new training programme, currently being delivered across the Church, in line with legislation and guidance in both jurisdictions in Ireland, and in line with Safeguarding Children, Standards and Guidance for the Catholic Church in Ireland. This programme provides, for the first time, all Church personnel with specific training and support materials to assist with the implementation of child safeguarding standards already approved by the Bishops’ Conference, Conference of Religious of Ireland and the Irish Missionary Union. This programme goes beyond the current training provided by the statutory authorities and has been verified by those authorities.
• 50th International Eucharistic Congress in Ireland, 10 – 17 June 2012
With less than 100 days to go to the 50th International Eucharistic Congress, bishops were informed that bookings have now just reached 7,000. 95 countries will be represented at the Congress, including over 1,000 people from Canada (Quebec city hosted the last Congress in 2008), over 400 from the United States, 77 people from the Congo and also representatives from Australia, Britain, Germany, France, Nigeria, Hong Kong, Slovakia, Puerto Rico, Thailand, Taiwan and Equatorial Guinea.
Meanwhile many dioceses are organising transport to bring pilgrims to the Congress on various days of the Congress week. Plans are in place to facilitate the participation of parish choirs. Secretary General of the Congress, Father Kevin Doran, expressed the hope that parishes might consider sponsoring young adults to participate in the Congress youth programme.
In the context of a visit to Rome for Saint Patrick’s Day, the Eucharistic Congress Bell will be received by Pope Benedict XVI at a General Audience next week.
Theological Symposium
The Pontifical University, Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth is hosting an international theology symposium from 6 to 9 June. The year 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council that so strongly underlined the ecclesiology of communion. The theology symposium examines the status questionis fifty years on. There will be expert contributions from scholars across the disciplines of theology – scripture, systematics, moral theology, liturgy, pastoral studies, missiology and ecumenics. There will be plenary sessions, seminars and liturgies. The symposium is aimed at participants who have at least a graduate level (or equivalent) of study in theology. In preparation for the Eucharistic Congress, bishops encourage priests, theologians and students of theology and people with an interest in theology to attend and further information can be obtained on www.iec2012.ie/theologicalsymposium
Background to the International Eucharistic Congress 2012
The theme for the 50th Congress is “The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with one another” and it will involve two main venues in the RDS and Croke Park, Dublin. The week long programme in the RDS consists of prayer, Eucharist, workshops, discussion groups, catechesis and testimonies, cultural events, tours, exhibitions, and a Eucharistic Procession. It is expected to involve 25,000 pilgrims participating in over 150 workshops; including 12,000 pilgrims from the five continents; and 80,000 participants at the Statio Orbis – the official title for the final Mass of the Congress, which will take place on 17 June 2012 in Croke Park. More information is available on www.iec2012.ie and 00 353 1 2349900.
• Share the Good News
The publication in January 2011 of Share the Good News: National Directory for Catechesis in Ireland by the Irish Bishops’ Conference initiated a ten year plan for evangelisation, for catechesis and for religious education in the Catholic Church in Ireland. The bishops’ Council for Catechetics is overseeing the task of ensuring the fullest possible of implementation of Share the Good News.
It highlights the responsible at all levels within the Catholic Church – parish, diocesan and national – for developing faith and faith community. The Directory is a resource containing theological, scriptural, and prayerful reflections.
Share the Good News reminds Catholics that the mission to evangelise is never to be understood as a personal cause, but is undertaken in the name of the Church and of Jesus Christ. The Directory emphasises that as well as missionary evangalisation, there is a need for on-going pastoral evangelisation within the community of the Church itself. With this in mind the bishops are agreed that Share the Good News will provide the framework for the response to the Year of Faith announced by Pope Benedict XVI which will begin next October. It will also provide a basis for on-going initiatives at parish, diocesan and national level over the coming aimed at promoting renewal in the Church in Ireland.
• The Solemnity of Saint Patrick and emigration
Saint Patrick’s Day is a special day for Irish people living at home and abroad. In 2012 we celebrate our national saint’s day in the midst of a deep economic recession which has resulted again in the heartbreak and pressure of unemployment and emigration for many individuals and families throughout Ireland.
The plight of Patrick, himself a migrant, has been faced by many Irish people who have struggled to live and integrate into new cultures. Patrick was called to serve and bring God to a people far from his homeland. Our national Saint was a pioneer in an inhospitable climate. In the words of Saint Patrick “May it never befall me to be separated by my God from his people whom he has won in this most remote land. I pray God that he gives me perseverance, and that he will deign that I should be a faithful witness for his sake right up to the time of my passing” (The Confession of St Patrick).
According to the Central Statistics Office, as of last September, 40,200 people from the Republic emigrated in the year to April, a rise of 45% on the previous 12 months. Bishops discussed the pastoral needs of the new generation of Irish emigrants. As a response the bishops’ Council for Emigrants is preparing an information pack for publication to coincide with Saint Patrick’s Day. It will equip our emigrants with material that will allow them make informed decisions as well as support them in their new life abroad.
This information pack will be available online and will include: (i) a snapshot of the reality of emigration, which will include stories from Irish emigrants about their personal experiences of emigration and stories from those who work to support Irish emigrants; (ii) practical information on emigration, such as visa requirements and information on accommodation and employment, and health insurance; and (iii) prayers for emigrants.
• Trócaire’s 2012 Lenten Campaign “Rebuilding Communities for lasting change”
As the Church in Ireland prepares for the International Eucharistic Congress this June, the theme of ‘community’ is to the fore of many people’s minds. Similarly in his 2012 Lenten message, Pope Benedict XVI draws on the brief biblical passage from the Letter to the Hebrews: “Let us be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and good works”. In this message the Holy Father speaks of the importance of being concerned not just for the physical wellbeing of others but also for their spiritual wellbeing.
Lent is a time for reflection and for giving. Bishops ask Irish people to remember Trócaire during Lent and help to bring hope and dignity to those who need it most. The theme of Trócaire’s 2012 Lenten Campaign is: “Rebuilding Communities for lasting change”. This year, Trócaire’s Lenten campaign focuses on communities in northern Uganda who are trying to rebuild their lives after 20 years of war.
Bishops acknowledged the extraordinary generosity of priests, religious and lay faithful to Trócaire’s fundraising campaigns throughout 2011 and also appealing for renewed support for Trócaire’s current Lenten Campaign.
For four decades Trócaire’s Lenten campaigns have brought dignity and hope to many of the world’s poorest people. Globally, poverty claims 50,000 lives every day. Each year, the Irish people, in solidarity with the poor and through their commitment to Trócaire’s work, generously donate their time and money in support for those in the developing world who are in true need. Through their long-standing support for Trócaire, Irish people have helped communities in the developing world to overcome oppression, to have a voice, to secure the right to land and water, grow food, educate their children and earn a living.
http://www.catholicbishops.ie/2012/03/08/spring-2012-general-meeting-irish-bishops-conference/
Spring 2012 General Meeting of the Irish
Bishops’ Conference
Today a press conference was held in the
Columba Centre, Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth marking the closing of the
Spring General Meeting of the Irish Bishops’ Conference. The bishops attending
the press conference were: Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, President of the
Eucharistic Congress; Bishop Kieran O’Reilly, Bishop of Killaloe and chairman of
Share the Good News; and, Bishop Donal McKeown, Auxiliary Bishop of
Down and Connor and member of the Bishops’ Council for Emigrants. The full audio
recording of the press conference is available here.The following subjects were discussed at the bishops’ spring meeting:
• Lent and preparation for Easter
• Safeguarding Children
• 50th International Eucharistic Congress in Ireland, 10 – 17 June 2012
• Share the Good News: National Directory for Catechesis
• The Solemnity of Saint Patrick
• Trócaire’s 2012 Lenten Campaign “Rebuilding Communities for lasting change”
• Lent and preparation for Easter
In this the season of Lent the call to renewal of our Christian life is a central part of our preparation for Easter. Bishops ask the faithful to offer up their fasting, prayer, reading of Scripture and works of mercy* during Lent 2012 for the grace of healing and renewal for the Church in Ireland. Penance is an essential part of the lives of all Christ’s faithful. It arises from the Lord’s call to conversion and repentance. Christians do penance: in memory of the Passion and death of our Lord; as a sharing in Christ’s suffering; as an expression of inner conversion; as a form of reparation for sin. Drawing particular attention to the ‘concrete initiatives’ proposed by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI in paragraph 14 of his Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland of March 2010, bishops specifically encourage the faithful and parish communities:
• to renew the practice of making the Sign of the Cross as they pass a Church in acknowledgement of the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist and as part of personal preparation for this year’s 50th International Eucharistic Congress in Ireland in June;
• acknowledging the long tradition of fasting on Fridays, manifested in abstaining from meat, to renew this practice;
• to make a special effort to avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Holy Week, with parishes providing additional opportunities for the celebration of the sacrament during this time, as well as leaflets to support the faithful in participating in this sacrament;
• to promote the practice of ‘the Easter Duty’, whereby all the faithful of communicant age are encouraged to approach the sacrament of Penance and to receive Holy Communion at least once a year, during the Easter season (cf. Canon 920);
• to extend the provision and practice of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the period up to the International Eucharistic Congress, and in particular to provide opportunities for children and young people to experience adoration of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Benediction;
• to study and reflect upon the Gospel of Mark during the remainder of the liturgical year, with the assistance of the wide range of supporting materials available online or in Catholic bookshops;
• noting the Message of Pope Benedict XVI for the 46th World Communications Day, entitled ‘Silence and Word: Path of Evangelisation’, to set aside regular times of silence for prayer and reflection as individuals and families, and in particular to maintain an atmosphere of prayerful silence when in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and in Churches generally;
• to make a penitential pilgrimage to Lough Derg during the coming year, in response to the call for ‘self-examination, inner purification and spiritual renewal’ (n.11) in the Pastoral Letter of Pope Benedict XVI to the Catholics of Ireland.
Bishops ask that the faithful avail of Lent as a special time “to pray for an outpouring of God’s mercy and the Holy Spirit’s gifts of holiness and strength upon the Church” in Ireland, as part of the spiritual preparation for the International Eucharistic Congress.
(*The Catechism of the Catholic Church states (n.2447): “The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbour. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God”) (cf. James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17).
• Safeguarding Children
In a wide ranging presentation of the current work being undertaken by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, Mr John Morgan, Chairman, and Ms Teresa Devlin, Director of Safeguarding, addressed the status of the current review process which involves both dioceses and religious congregations. Bishops were advised that it is anticipated that a further seven reviews will have been completed by mid-summer next. Bishops whose dioceses had already been reviewed by the National Board acknowledged the professionalism and help that the NBSCCCI staff extended throughout the process.
Bishops were also advised of the positive endorsement received from engagement with the Deputy Irish Human Rights Commissioner in Dublin, and his legal advisor, in relation to the recently issued Leave from Ministry interim guidance, now applicable on an all-Ireland basis.
The Director of Safeguarding outlined the extensive new training programme, currently being delivered across the Church, in line with legislation and guidance in both jurisdictions in Ireland, and in line with Safeguarding Children, Standards and Guidance for the Catholic Church in Ireland. This programme provides, for the first time, all Church personnel with specific training and support materials to assist with the implementation of child safeguarding standards already approved by the Bishops’ Conference, Conference of Religious of Ireland and the Irish Missionary Union. This programme goes beyond the current training provided by the statutory authorities and has been verified by those authorities.
• 50th International Eucharistic Congress in Ireland, 10 – 17 June 2012
With less than 100 days to go to the 50th International Eucharistic Congress, bishops were informed that bookings have now just reached 7,000. 95 countries will be represented at the Congress, including over 1,000 people from Canada (Quebec city hosted the last Congress in 2008), over 400 from the United States, 77 people from the Congo and also representatives from Australia, Britain, Germany, France, Nigeria, Hong Kong, Slovakia, Puerto Rico, Thailand, Taiwan and Equatorial Guinea.
Meanwhile many dioceses are organising transport to bring pilgrims to the Congress on various days of the Congress week. Plans are in place to facilitate the participation of parish choirs. Secretary General of the Congress, Father Kevin Doran, expressed the hope that parishes might consider sponsoring young adults to participate in the Congress youth programme.
In the context of a visit to Rome for Saint Patrick’s Day, the Eucharistic Congress Bell will be received by Pope Benedict XVI at a General Audience next week.
Theological Symposium
The Pontifical University, Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth is hosting an international theology symposium from 6 to 9 June. The year 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council that so strongly underlined the ecclesiology of communion. The theology symposium examines the status questionis fifty years on. There will be expert contributions from scholars across the disciplines of theology – scripture, systematics, moral theology, liturgy, pastoral studies, missiology and ecumenics. There will be plenary sessions, seminars and liturgies. The symposium is aimed at participants who have at least a graduate level (or equivalent) of study in theology. In preparation for the Eucharistic Congress, bishops encourage priests, theologians and students of theology and people with an interest in theology to attend and further information can be obtained on www.iec2012.ie/theologicalsymposium
Background to the International Eucharistic Congress 2012
The theme for the 50th Congress is “The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with one another” and it will involve two main venues in the RDS and Croke Park, Dublin. The week long programme in the RDS consists of prayer, Eucharist, workshops, discussion groups, catechesis and testimonies, cultural events, tours, exhibitions, and a Eucharistic Procession. It is expected to involve 25,000 pilgrims participating in over 150 workshops; including 12,000 pilgrims from the five continents; and 80,000 participants at the Statio Orbis – the official title for the final Mass of the Congress, which will take place on 17 June 2012 in Croke Park. More information is available on www.iec2012.ie and 00 353 1 2349900.
• Share the Good News
The publication in January 2011 of Share the Good News: National Directory for Catechesis in Ireland by the Irish Bishops’ Conference initiated a ten year plan for evangelisation, for catechesis and for religious education in the Catholic Church in Ireland. The bishops’ Council for Catechetics is overseeing the task of ensuring the fullest possible of implementation of Share the Good News.
It highlights the responsible at all levels within the Catholic Church – parish, diocesan and national – for developing faith and faith community. The Directory is a resource containing theological, scriptural, and prayerful reflections.
Share the Good News reminds Catholics that the mission to evangelise is never to be understood as a personal cause, but is undertaken in the name of the Church and of Jesus Christ. The Directory emphasises that as well as missionary evangalisation, there is a need for on-going pastoral evangelisation within the community of the Church itself. With this in mind the bishops are agreed that Share the Good News will provide the framework for the response to the Year of Faith announced by Pope Benedict XVI which will begin next October. It will also provide a basis for on-going initiatives at parish, diocesan and national level over the coming aimed at promoting renewal in the Church in Ireland.
• The Solemnity of Saint Patrick and emigration
Saint Patrick’s Day is a special day for Irish people living at home and abroad. In 2012 we celebrate our national saint’s day in the midst of a deep economic recession which has resulted again in the heartbreak and pressure of unemployment and emigration for many individuals and families throughout Ireland.
The plight of Patrick, himself a migrant, has been faced by many Irish people who have struggled to live and integrate into new cultures. Patrick was called to serve and bring God to a people far from his homeland. Our national Saint was a pioneer in an inhospitable climate. In the words of Saint Patrick “May it never befall me to be separated by my God from his people whom he has won in this most remote land. I pray God that he gives me perseverance, and that he will deign that I should be a faithful witness for his sake right up to the time of my passing” (The Confession of St Patrick).
According to the Central Statistics Office, as of last September, 40,200 people from the Republic emigrated in the year to April, a rise of 45% on the previous 12 months. Bishops discussed the pastoral needs of the new generation of Irish emigrants. As a response the bishops’ Council for Emigrants is preparing an information pack for publication to coincide with Saint Patrick’s Day. It will equip our emigrants with material that will allow them make informed decisions as well as support them in their new life abroad.
This information pack will be available online and will include: (i) a snapshot of the reality of emigration, which will include stories from Irish emigrants about their personal experiences of emigration and stories from those who work to support Irish emigrants; (ii) practical information on emigration, such as visa requirements and information on accommodation and employment, and health insurance; and (iii) prayers for emigrants.
• Trócaire’s 2012 Lenten Campaign “Rebuilding Communities for lasting change”
As the Church in Ireland prepares for the International Eucharistic Congress this June, the theme of ‘community’ is to the fore of many people’s minds. Similarly in his 2012 Lenten message, Pope Benedict XVI draws on the brief biblical passage from the Letter to the Hebrews: “Let us be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and good works”. In this message the Holy Father speaks of the importance of being concerned not just for the physical wellbeing of others but also for their spiritual wellbeing.
Lent is a time for reflection and for giving. Bishops ask Irish people to remember Trócaire during Lent and help to bring hope and dignity to those who need it most. The theme of Trócaire’s 2012 Lenten Campaign is: “Rebuilding Communities for lasting change”. This year, Trócaire’s Lenten campaign focuses on communities in northern Uganda who are trying to rebuild their lives after 20 years of war.
Bishops acknowledged the extraordinary generosity of priests, religious and lay faithful to Trócaire’s fundraising campaigns throughout 2011 and also appealing for renewed support for Trócaire’s current Lenten Campaign.
For four decades Trócaire’s Lenten campaigns have brought dignity and hope to many of the world’s poorest people. Globally, poverty claims 50,000 lives every day. Each year, the Irish people, in solidarity with the poor and through their commitment to Trócaire’s work, generously donate their time and money in support for those in the developing world who are in true need. Through their long-standing support for Trócaire, Irish people have helped communities in the developing world to overcome oppression, to have a voice, to secure the right to land and water, grow food, educate their children and earn a living.
http://www.catholicbishops.ie/2012/03/08/spring-2012-general-meeting-irish-bishops-conference/
ASIA : INDIA : CHRISTIANS KILLED BY EXTREMISTS
ASIA NEWS
REPORT:
Suryakant Nayak, an Anglican, was going home after doing some errands. Police found his body in a well with evident signs of a struggle. In early March, 15 Hindus cut the throat of Goresa Mallick, a Catholic, for witchcraft. For the Global Council of Indian Christians, the high rate of acquittals in connection with the 2008 pogrom has encouraged Hindus to harass the Christian community.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Six Christians have been killed by Hindu ultranationalists or unknown attackers in Orissa in the last 14th months. The latest are Suryakant Nayak, an Anglican from Bakingia village (Kandhamal), and Goresa Mallick, a Catholic from Salimagocha village (Ganjam), who were murdered on 6 and 3 March respectively. "What is scary is the fact that the government is not concerned about the occasional killing of Christians in Orissa, and that the police is conducting its investigation slowly and carelessly," said Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC).
The latest murders were particularly gruesome. Suryakant Nayak went missing on 2 March. After withdrawing some money in Raika, he carried out some errands with his mother and three daughters and then went home. Not far from home, he stopped for a drink whilst his mother and daughter went on their way.
Eyewitnesses say they later saw him lying on the ground, drunk. His body was found in a well four days later not far from Raikia, showing bruises. Both his hands and wrists were broken. The mouth and lips were swollen and some of his teeth were missing. All these are telltale signs of a fight. Nevertheless, the police has not filed a case of murder yet.
On 3 March, Goresa Mallick, 50, met a group of 15 Hindus from a neighbouring village. After drinking something, he was attacked by the men, who cut his throat and then proceeded to burn his body in the woods. The next day, the family found his remains.
Police arrested the alleged murderers who justified the killing by accusing the victim of "witchcraft". Goresa Mallick had converted to Catholicism five months earlier.
According to Sajan George, "the high rate of acquittals and the low rate of conviction in connection with the 2008 pogrom have encouraged rightwing Hindu nationalists. They feel they have total immunity from the authorities and can thus threaten and intimidate the Christian minority with impunity."
What is more, "in Kandhamal District, the failure to bring Hindu extremists to justice" is compounded by the fact that "Christians are ostracised." (NC)
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Orissa:-second-Christian-killed-since-the-start-of-the-year-24222.html
Suryakant Nayak, an Anglican, was going home after doing some errands. Police found his body in a well with evident signs of a struggle. In early March, 15 Hindus cut the throat of Goresa Mallick, a Catholic, for witchcraft. For the Global Council of Indian Christians, the high rate of acquittals in connection with the 2008 pogrom has encouraged Hindus to harass the Christian community.
_0313_-_Orissa.jpg)
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Six Christians have been killed by Hindu ultranationalists or unknown attackers in Orissa in the last 14th months. The latest are Suryakant Nayak, an Anglican from Bakingia village (Kandhamal), and Goresa Mallick, a Catholic from Salimagocha village (Ganjam), who were murdered on 6 and 3 March respectively. "What is scary is the fact that the government is not concerned about the occasional killing of Christians in Orissa, and that the police is conducting its investigation slowly and carelessly," said Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC).
The latest murders were particularly gruesome. Suryakant Nayak went missing on 2 March. After withdrawing some money in Raika, he carried out some errands with his mother and three daughters and then went home. Not far from home, he stopped for a drink whilst his mother and daughter went on their way.
Eyewitnesses say they later saw him lying on the ground, drunk. His body was found in a well four days later not far from Raikia, showing bruises. Both his hands and wrists were broken. The mouth and lips were swollen and some of his teeth were missing. All these are telltale signs of a fight. Nevertheless, the police has not filed a case of murder yet.
On 3 March, Goresa Mallick, 50, met a group of 15 Hindus from a neighbouring village. After drinking something, he was attacked by the men, who cut his throat and then proceeded to burn his body in the woods. The next day, the family found his remains.
Police arrested the alleged murderers who justified the killing by accusing the victim of "witchcraft". Goresa Mallick had converted to Catholicism five months earlier.
According to Sajan George, "the high rate of acquittals and the low rate of conviction in connection with the 2008 pogrom have encouraged rightwing Hindu nationalists. They feel they have total immunity from the authorities and can thus threaten and intimidate the Christian minority with impunity."
What is more, "in Kandhamal District, the failure to bring Hindu extremists to justice" is compounded by the fact that "Christians are ostracised." (NC)
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Orissa:-second-Christian-killed-since-the-start-of-the-year-24222.html
AFRICA : MAURITANIA : EFFORTS TO PREVENT FAMINE
Agenzia
Fides REPORT - Many places in southern Mauritania, an area mainly devoted to
agriculture and cattle breeding, are facing a food crisis that threatens to
degenerate into famine if no action is taken immediately. The agricultural
season of 2011 ended with a deficit close to 52% of normal annual production. To
this one must add the rising prices of food. In the region of Gorgol 29 villages
and 3,100 people have already been identified who find themselves in very
precarious situations. To deal with the situation, the AGPI, a local social NGO
of the Catholic organization Manos Unidas, is working to prevent further price
increases buying as soon as possible cerial, seeds and legumes, which will be
distributed among the families who will be selected by civil and religious
authorities of every village. With the contribution of Manos Unidas this
campaign of extraordinary aid for the rural population will be able to start,
which has the objective of limiting the seriousness of food emergency in the
villages of Sahel and will allow to sow the fields in anticipation of new rains.
(AP) (Agenzia Fides 14/3/2012)
AUSTRALIA : FAREWELL MASS FOR ARCHBISHOP OF PERTH
ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH REPORT:
By B Spinks, (cover photo, Video: Fayann D'Souza)
The Archdiocese of Perth honoured their spiritual shepherd of more than 20 years at the ‘People’s Farewell’ at St Mary’s Cathedral on 6 March with Mass & a soiree of Addresses and musical interludes, organised to farewell the outgoing Archbishop of Perth.
Photo
by: Michael Connelly (c)
Archbishop Barry James Hickey - who was born in Leonora in 1936, ordained a priest in Rome, 1958 and has led this Archdiocese since October 1991 - will be oft remembered fondly for his leadership, compassion and humble witness to the Good News of Jesus.
More than 1500 of his friends and supporters attended the Farewell, including Premier Colin Barnett, Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi, Anglican Archbishop of Perth Roger Herft, members of his family and hundreds of parishioners from across Perth.
Pope Benedict XVI announced a fortnight ago on 20 February that Archbishop Hickey’s successor would be Archbishop-designate Timothy Costelloe – thus formalising his acceptance of Archbishop Hickey’s letter of resignation which was handed in following Church protocol on his seventy-fifth birthday in April last year.
The Mass was understated yet prayerful, embellished with the simple but beautiful Plain Chant.
The readings for the occasion were not specially chosen but were taken from the Mass of Tuesday, the second week of Lent. They spoke of Isaiah’s call to a clean heart in the eyes of the Lord (Isaiah 1.10:16-20) and Jesus’s call to humility in the Gospel of Matthew (Matt 23: 1-12).
The prelate kept his homily related to the words of the Gospel, saving his fond farewell for after the Mass.
With an organ and didgeridoo piece providing an overture for the offertory and preparation of gifts, there was a mystical ambiance in St Mary’s Cathedral ahead of the consecration.
This presence and resonance of the didgeridoo highlighted Archbishop Hickey’s - or Father Hickey’s, as they know him - compassion for the Indigenous community.
Archbishop Hickey kept the fanfare and extra items for the Ceremony of Thanks for after Mass.
St Mary’s Cathedral Choir and soloist Yann Kee sang an Italian operatic Marian hymn, ‘La Vergine degli Angeli’ to open the ‘Ceremony of Thanks’ once Mass had ended.
Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton and the former Vicar for Clergy, Fr Brian McKenna each honoured Archbishop Hickey.
Fr McKenna spoke of Archbishop’s compassionate nature, his understanding, patience and gentleness as well as his frequent practical and personal generosity.
He commented on the way Archbishop Hickey would often have a stack of five-dollar-notes to hand out to those in need that he personally encountered.
Fr McKenna added that when Archbishop Hickey was once criticised that he was “too soft” on a particular matter, he said that when he gets to the pearly gates and meets St Peter, he will be asked, “Were you compassionate?”.
When Archbishop Hickey came to the microphone, he held back the emotion as he spoke of his late brother, Brian, whom he said he wished could have been present at the occasion.
“Life and death are part of God's plan for us and we must accept that his life - his beautiful life - is now ended only to begin a wonderful new life with God in the life to come,” he said.
This sadness, he said, was eased by the knowledge that Brian’s grandson and his wife have just had a little baby boy who is less than seven days old and that the family was sitting in the front pew in support.
“So we see death and we see life. We see the cycle of creation continuing under God's guidance,” he said.
While the hundreds who filled the Cathedral and spilled onto the forecourt were there to offer their support and thanks, the ever-gracious and humble Archbishop honoured them.
He thanked his family, the function organisers and the priests who were there present.
“I'm pleased with the number of priests. There is a priest's farewell next week but they'll probably go to both and I'm very grateful they've come tonight to show their friendship, their loyalty and I hope their love,” he said.
He reflected on various aspects of the state of the Archdiocese that he leaves behind; the re-established St Charles Seminary in Guildford and the pioneering Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Morley.
“They are both full and that ensures sufficient priests for the future,” he said.
He was pleased not to have found it necessary to close parishes - as has happened in other parts of Australia – as there was no shortage of priests here.
He said the Archdiocese of Perth’s parishes were “vibrant and vital” and those on the outer limits of Perth are bustling with huge numbers.
He is pleased, he said, that there are new families, and young children all learning about Jesus and what it means to follow in his footsteps.
He said he was proud of the huge education system offering Catholic education and Christian values.
He was grateful for the agencies that reach out to those at street level but also at professional level along with prayer, focus and action groups of various sorts, all of which reflect the health of the church.
He said he saw his role of Archbishop as ‘overseer’ which is what the word for Bishop traditionally means in Greek and that he has sought to do the best he can.
“I've learnt on the job. One starts very naive but gradually wisdom comes. And I am grateful for the cooperation of so many in the church because I think I leave it in good condition,” he said.
“I’ve done my best,” he said but added that he wanted to apologise to anyone whom he might have hurt over the last 20 years.
“I’m sure there have been some where expectations of me have fallen short in their judgment and I can offer myself as no more than just a fallible human being trying to read the mind of God and follow it and sometimes I make mistakes and for those mistakes I ask forgiveness,” he said.
He also mentioned that the office of Archbishop is about encouraging the people he shepherds to be witnesses to Jesus – “to be witnesses to the standards that he calls for in love, in generosity, in good living, in honesty, integrity and all those things that build up the church and build up the nation”.
He was pleased to see the Premier and members of parliament present because their job was important too and that the church and government interface – not only through dialogue but through those that govern, when they bring their faith to the decisions made in the interests of the people.
He said he had spoken out at times knowing that he would get attacked, and subsequently he has been attacked. But this is part of the price that one pays, he said.
“One cannot live in a ghetto, one has to be part of a society in which one lives,” he said.
Every church is part of that society and must make its contribution in the hope that others are listening, he said.
“We cannot force our views on anyone – we do not try to - but we ask them to listen as we listen to others who do not share our views,” he said.
In two weeks, after the hand over on 21 March, Archbishop Hickey will become ‘emeritus’ meaning he will be retired from office but will retain the title of Archbishop.
However, his retirement from office is not the same as retiring from a job out in the community such as from accounting or engineering, he noted.
“This position is not like that, I believe it is a call,” he said.
It is a call to follow Christ in sacred orders, he said, and it is one, which he expects to continue to carry out in the Archdiocese of Perth.
“I'll go wherever the need is, although I might do all those other things people suggest to me, the call still remains.
“With the strength that's remaining to me, and the energy that God might give to me, as long as that lasts, I'll try to respond to that call,” he said.
http://www.perthcatholic.org.au/news-events/view_article.cfm?loadref=10&id=146
By B Spinks, (cover photo, Video: Fayann D'Souza)
The Archdiocese of Perth honoured their spiritual shepherd of more than 20 years at the ‘People’s Farewell’ at St Mary’s Cathedral on 6 March with Mass & a soiree of Addresses and musical interludes, organised to farewell the outgoing Archbishop of Perth.
Archbishop Barry James Hickey - who was born in Leonora in 1936, ordained a priest in Rome, 1958 and has led this Archdiocese since October 1991 - will be oft remembered fondly for his leadership, compassion and humble witness to the Good News of Jesus.
More than 1500 of his friends and supporters attended the Farewell, including Premier Colin Barnett, Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi, Anglican Archbishop of Perth Roger Herft, members of his family and hundreds of parishioners from across Perth.
Pope Benedict XVI announced a fortnight ago on 20 February that Archbishop Hickey’s successor would be Archbishop-designate Timothy Costelloe – thus formalising his acceptance of Archbishop Hickey’s letter of resignation which was handed in following Church protocol on his seventy-fifth birthday in April last year.
The Mass was understated yet prayerful, embellished with the simple but beautiful Plain Chant.
The readings for the occasion were not specially chosen but were taken from the Mass of Tuesday, the second week of Lent. They spoke of Isaiah’s call to a clean heart in the eyes of the Lord (Isaiah 1.10:16-20) and Jesus’s call to humility in the Gospel of Matthew (Matt 23: 1-12).
The prelate kept his homily related to the words of the Gospel, saving his fond farewell for after the Mass.
With an organ and didgeridoo piece providing an overture for the offertory and preparation of gifts, there was a mystical ambiance in St Mary’s Cathedral ahead of the consecration.
This presence and resonance of the didgeridoo highlighted Archbishop Hickey’s - or Father Hickey’s, as they know him - compassion for the Indigenous community.
Archbishop Hickey kept the fanfare and extra items for the Ceremony of Thanks for after Mass.
St Mary’s Cathedral Choir and soloist Yann Kee sang an Italian operatic Marian hymn, ‘La Vergine degli Angeli’ to open the ‘Ceremony of Thanks’ once Mass had ended.
Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton and the former Vicar for Clergy, Fr Brian McKenna each honoured Archbishop Hickey.
Fr McKenna spoke of Archbishop’s compassionate nature, his understanding, patience and gentleness as well as his frequent practical and personal generosity.
He commented on the way Archbishop Hickey would often have a stack of five-dollar-notes to hand out to those in need that he personally encountered.
Fr McKenna added that when Archbishop Hickey was once criticised that he was “too soft” on a particular matter, he said that when he gets to the pearly gates and meets St Peter, he will be asked, “Were you compassionate?”.
When Archbishop Hickey came to the microphone, he held back the emotion as he spoke of his late brother, Brian, whom he said he wished could have been present at the occasion.
“Life and death are part of God's plan for us and we must accept that his life - his beautiful life - is now ended only to begin a wonderful new life with God in the life to come,” he said.
This sadness, he said, was eased by the knowledge that Brian’s grandson and his wife have just had a little baby boy who is less than seven days old and that the family was sitting in the front pew in support.
“So we see death and we see life. We see the cycle of creation continuing under God's guidance,” he said.
While the hundreds who filled the Cathedral and spilled onto the forecourt were there to offer their support and thanks, the ever-gracious and humble Archbishop honoured them.
He thanked his family, the function organisers and the priests who were there present.
“I'm pleased with the number of priests. There is a priest's farewell next week but they'll probably go to both and I'm very grateful they've come tonight to show their friendship, their loyalty and I hope their love,” he said.
He reflected on various aspects of the state of the Archdiocese that he leaves behind; the re-established St Charles Seminary in Guildford and the pioneering Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Morley.
“They are both full and that ensures sufficient priests for the future,” he said.
He was pleased not to have found it necessary to close parishes - as has happened in other parts of Australia – as there was no shortage of priests here.
He said the Archdiocese of Perth’s parishes were “vibrant and vital” and those on the outer limits of Perth are bustling with huge numbers.
He is pleased, he said, that there are new families, and young children all learning about Jesus and what it means to follow in his footsteps.
He said he was proud of the huge education system offering Catholic education and Christian values.
He was grateful for the agencies that reach out to those at street level but also at professional level along with prayer, focus and action groups of various sorts, all of which reflect the health of the church.
He said he saw his role of Archbishop as ‘overseer’ which is what the word for Bishop traditionally means in Greek and that he has sought to do the best he can.
“I've learnt on the job. One starts very naive but gradually wisdom comes. And I am grateful for the cooperation of so many in the church because I think I leave it in good condition,” he said.
“I’ve done my best,” he said but added that he wanted to apologise to anyone whom he might have hurt over the last 20 years.
“I’m sure there have been some where expectations of me have fallen short in their judgment and I can offer myself as no more than just a fallible human being trying to read the mind of God and follow it and sometimes I make mistakes and for those mistakes I ask forgiveness,” he said.
He also mentioned that the office of Archbishop is about encouraging the people he shepherds to be witnesses to Jesus – “to be witnesses to the standards that he calls for in love, in generosity, in good living, in honesty, integrity and all those things that build up the church and build up the nation”.
He was pleased to see the Premier and members of parliament present because their job was important too and that the church and government interface – not only through dialogue but through those that govern, when they bring their faith to the decisions made in the interests of the people.
He said he had spoken out at times knowing that he would get attacked, and subsequently he has been attacked. But this is part of the price that one pays, he said.
“One cannot live in a ghetto, one has to be part of a society in which one lives,” he said.
Every church is part of that society and must make its contribution in the hope that others are listening, he said.
“We cannot force our views on anyone – we do not try to - but we ask them to listen as we listen to others who do not share our views,” he said.
In two weeks, after the hand over on 21 March, Archbishop Hickey will become ‘emeritus’ meaning he will be retired from office but will retain the title of Archbishop.
However, his retirement from office is not the same as retiring from a job out in the community such as from accounting or engineering, he noted.
“This position is not like that, I believe it is a call,” he said.
It is a call to follow Christ in sacred orders, he said, and it is one, which he expects to continue to carry out in the Archdiocese of Perth.
“I'll go wherever the need is, although I might do all those other things people suggest to me, the call still remains.
“With the strength that's remaining to me, and the energy that God might give to me, as long as that lasts, I'll try to respond to that call,” he said.
http://www.perthcatholic.org.au/news-events/view_article.cfm?loadref=10&id=146
TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : TUES. MARCH 13, 2012
| Matthew
18: 21 - 35
| |
| 21 | Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" |
| 22 | Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. |
| 23 | "Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. |
| 24 | When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; |
| 25 | and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. |
| 26 | So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, `Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' |
| 27 | And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. |
| 28 | But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, `Pay what you owe.' |
| 29 | So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' |
| 30 | He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. |
| 31 | When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. |
| 32 | Then his lord summoned him and said to him, `You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; |
| 33 | and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' |
| 34 | And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. |
| 35 | So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart." |
TODAY'S SAINT : MARCH 13 : ST. EUPHRASIA
St. Euphrasia
VIRGIN
Feast: March 13
|
Information:
|
|
Virgin, b. in 380; d. after
410. She was the daughter of Antigonus, a senator of Constantinople, and a relation of Emperor Theodosius. Her father died shortly after her birth, and her mother, also Euphrasia, devoted her life thenceforth exclusively to the service of God. To carry out this ideal she abandoned the capital, and, with her seven-year-old daughter, repaired to Egypt, where she dwelt on one of her estates, near a convent, and adopted the nuns' austere mode of life. This example aroused in her daughter the desire to enter the convent, and her mother gave her into the care of the superior, that she might be trained in the ascetic life. After her mother's death she declined an offer of marriage made, by the Emperor Theodosius, on behalf of a senator's son, transferred to the emperor her entire fortune, to be used for charitable purposes, and took up, with a holy ardour, the rigorous practices of Christian perfection. She was about thirty when she died. Her feast is celebrated in the Greek Church on 25 July, and in the Latin Church on 13 March. She is mentioned by St. John Damascene, in his third "Oratio de imaginibus". |
SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/E/steuphrasia.asp#ixzz1pBYypyaN
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