RADIO VATICANA
REPORT: Pope Benedict XVI in his weekly Angelus address spoke about the two
miracles performed by Jesus in today’s Gospel. After the prayer, the Holy Father
greeted visitors from around the world.
Speaking to English-speaking pilgrims, the Holy Father said, "I welcome the English-speaking visitors gathered for this Angelus prayer. In today’s Gospel, Jesus restores life to a little girl in response to the faith-filled prayer of her father. In this miracle may we see an invitation to grow in our own faith, to trust in the Lord’s promise of abundant life, and to pray for all those in need of his healing touch. Upon you and your families I invoke God’s blessings of wisdom, joy and peace!"
Below you can find the complete text of Pope Benedict XVI's Sunday Angelus address:
This Sunday, the evangelist Mark presents us with a tale of two miraculous healings that Jesus performs in favour of two women: the daughter of Jairus, one of the leaders of the synagogue; and a woman who suffered from haemorrhage (cf. Mk 5 0.21 to 43). Here are two episodes in which there are two levels of interpretation – the purely physical: Jesus bends down to meet human suffering and heals the body; and the spiritual: Jesus came to heal the human heart and to give salvation, and He asks for faith in Him.
In the first episode, in fact, at the news that the daughter of Jairus was dead, Jesus says to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid, but have faith!” (v. 36). Jesus takes him with Him to the place where the girl was, and exclaims: “Little girl, I say to you: Get up!” (v. 41). And she got up and walked. St. Jerome comments on these words, emphasizing the saving power of Jesus: “Little girl, get up through Me: not on account of your own merits, but through My grace. Rise, therefore, through Me: being cured does not depend on your virtue” (Homilies on the Gospel of Mark, 3).
The second episode, about the woman suffering from a haemorrhage, re-emphasizes how Jesus came to liberate the human being in its totality. Indeed, the miracle takes place in two phases: the first is the physical healing, but this is closely tied to deeper healing, that which bestows the grace of God to those who are open to Him in faith. Jesus tells her: “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace, and be healed of your disease” (Mk 5.34).
These two stories of healing are an invitation for us to overcome a purely horizontal and materialistic view of life. So often we ask God to cure our problems, to relieve our concrete needs – and this is right. But what we should ask for even more is an ever stronger faith, because the Lord renews our lives; and a firm trust in His love, in His providence that does not abandon us.
Jesus who is attentive to human suffering makes us think also of all those who help the sick to carry their crosses, and in particular physicians, health care professionals and those who provide pastoral care in nursing homes. They are the “reserves of love,” which bring peace and hope to the suffering. In the Encyclical Deus Caritas est, I noted that, in this invaluable service, one must first be professionally competent - it is a primary, fundamental requirement - but this alone is not enough. This service, in fact, is first and foremost about human beings who need humanity and heartfelt attention. “Therefore, in addition to professional training, a certain ‘formation of the heart’ is necessary above all for such workers: This should lead them to that encounter with God in Christ that sustains that love in them, and opens their soul to others” (n. 31).
We call upon the Virgin Mary to accompany our journey of faith and our commitment to practical love, especially to those in need, as we invoke her maternal intercession for our brothers who live with suffering in body or spirit.
SHARED FROM RADIO VATICANA
Speaking to English-speaking pilgrims, the Holy Father said, "I welcome the English-speaking visitors gathered for this Angelus prayer. In today’s Gospel, Jesus restores life to a little girl in response to the faith-filled prayer of her father. In this miracle may we see an invitation to grow in our own faith, to trust in the Lord’s promise of abundant life, and to pray for all those in need of his healing touch. Upon you and your families I invoke God’s blessings of wisdom, joy and peace!"
Below you can find the complete text of Pope Benedict XVI's Sunday Angelus address:
This Sunday, the evangelist Mark presents us with a tale of two miraculous healings that Jesus performs in favour of two women: the daughter of Jairus, one of the leaders of the synagogue; and a woman who suffered from haemorrhage (cf. Mk 5 0.21 to 43). Here are two episodes in which there are two levels of interpretation – the purely physical: Jesus bends down to meet human suffering and heals the body; and the spiritual: Jesus came to heal the human heart and to give salvation, and He asks for faith in Him.
In the first episode, in fact, at the news that the daughter of Jairus was dead, Jesus says to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid, but have faith!” (v. 36). Jesus takes him with Him to the place where the girl was, and exclaims: “Little girl, I say to you: Get up!” (v. 41). And she got up and walked. St. Jerome comments on these words, emphasizing the saving power of Jesus: “Little girl, get up through Me: not on account of your own merits, but through My grace. Rise, therefore, through Me: being cured does not depend on your virtue” (Homilies on the Gospel of Mark, 3).
The second episode, about the woman suffering from a haemorrhage, re-emphasizes how Jesus came to liberate the human being in its totality. Indeed, the miracle takes place in two phases: the first is the physical healing, but this is closely tied to deeper healing, that which bestows the grace of God to those who are open to Him in faith. Jesus tells her: “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace, and be healed of your disease” (Mk 5.34).
These two stories of healing are an invitation for us to overcome a purely horizontal and materialistic view of life. So often we ask God to cure our problems, to relieve our concrete needs – and this is right. But what we should ask for even more is an ever stronger faith, because the Lord renews our lives; and a firm trust in His love, in His providence that does not abandon us.
Jesus who is attentive to human suffering makes us think also of all those who help the sick to carry their crosses, and in particular physicians, health care professionals and those who provide pastoral care in nursing homes. They are the “reserves of love,” which bring peace and hope to the suffering. In the Encyclical Deus Caritas est, I noted that, in this invaluable service, one must first be professionally competent - it is a primary, fundamental requirement - but this alone is not enough. This service, in fact, is first and foremost about human beings who need humanity and heartfelt attention. “Therefore, in addition to professional training, a certain ‘formation of the heart’ is necessary above all for such workers: This should lead them to that encounter with God in Christ that sustains that love in them, and opens their soul to others” (n. 31).
We call upon the Virgin Mary to accompany our journey of faith and our commitment to practical love, especially to those in need, as we invoke her maternal intercession for our brothers who live with suffering in body or spirit.
SHARED FROM RADIO VATICANA
AMERICA : CANADA 4 BISHOPS RECEIVE PALLIUM FROM POPE
CCCB REPORT:
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI gave the pallium to newly
appointed Metropolitan Archbishops, at the beginning of the Mass celebrating the
Solemnity of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul on June 29, 2012. The
ceremony, was in Saint Peter’s Square, in front of the Vatican Basilica. Among
those appointed during this past year are four Canadian Archbishops: the Most
Reverend Luc Cyr of Sherbrooke , the Most Reverend
Paul-André Durocher of Gatineau , the Most Reverend Christian Lépine of Montreal , and the Most Reverend Valéry Vienneau of
Moncton Rome Moncton
The pallium is a narrow woolen band that hangs around the neck and shoulders, and is decorated with six black crosses. Originally it was reserved for the liturgical use of the Pope, but over the centuries was given to certain Bishops as a sign of their relationship with the Apostolic See. Since the 9th century it is given only to Metropolitan Archbishops as a sign of the authority they share with the Holy Father. The wool for the pallium comes from two lambs offered every year to the Pope on January 21, the Feast of Saint Agnes.SHARED FROM CCCB (EDITED)
 |
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI gave the pallium to newly
appointed Metropolitan Archbishops, at the beginning of the Mass celebrating the
Solemnity of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul on June 29, 2012. The
ceremony, was in Saint Peter’s Square, in front of the Vatican Basilica. Among
those appointed during this past year are four Canadian Archbishops: the Most
Reverend Luc Cyr of The pallium is a narrow woolen band that hangs around the neck and shoulders, and is decorated with six black crosses. Originally it was reserved for the liturgical use of the Pope, but over the centuries was given to certain Bishops as a sign of their relationship with the Apostolic See. Since the 9th century it is given only to Metropolitan Archbishops as a sign of the authority they share with the Holy Father. The wool for the pallium comes from two lambs offered every year to the Pope on January 21, the Feast of Saint Agnes.SHARED FROM CCCB (EDITED)
AUSTRALIA : FAREWELL MASS FOR BISHOP MCGUCKIN
DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA REPORT:
A
Farewell Mass for Bishop Bob McGuckin was celebrated at St Patrick’s Cathedral
Parramatta on Saturday 23 June 2012.
“It is hard for us to say goodbye to you Bob. But we are very proud of you. You are the first bishop from the clergy of this young Diocese and we will always feel we own you, whatever your new adopted family say,” the Bishop of Parramatta, Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, said during his Homily.
Read Bishop Anthony’s Homily in full
Download an audio file of Bishop
Anthony's Homily
Listen to this Homily at Bishop Anthony's iTunes Podcasts
Download an audio file of Bishop
McGuckin's
AddressGo
to Bishop Bob McGuckin Farewell Mass Photo
Gallery
Related:
Most Rev Robert McGuckin: Ordination as Bishop of Toowoomba to be live streamed
SHARED FROM DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA
A visible source and foundation of unity
 |
| Photo: Alphonsus
Fok & Grace Lu |
“It is hard for us to say goodbye to you Bob. But we are very proud of you. You are the first bishop from the clergy of this young Diocese and we will always feel we own you, whatever your new adopted family say,” the Bishop of Parramatta, Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP, said during his Homily.
Read Bishop Anthony’s Homily in full
Download an audio file of Bishop
Anthony's HomilyListen to this Homily at Bishop Anthony's iTunes Podcasts
Download an audio file of Bishop
McGuckin's
AddressGo
to Bishop Bob McGuckin Farewell Mass Photo
Gallery
Related:
Most Rev Robert McGuckin: Ordination as Bishop of Toowoomba to be live streamed
SHARED FROM DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA
ASIA : CHINA : ILLICIT ORDINATIONS BY BISHOP
UCAN REPORT:
Two episcopal
ordinations in Harbin, Shanghai postponed
The illicit ordination of Bishop Paul Lei Shiyin of
Leshan on June 29, 2011
Two episcopal ordinations, one without papal
approval, scheduled for this week have been postponed, say Church sources. But
the ordination of four new priests by an illicit bishop has gone ahead in
southwestern Leshan diocese.
Bishop Paul Lei Shiyin of Leshan ordained the four new priests today, the first anniversary of his own ordination which was conducted without a papal mandate and resulted in his automatic excommunication.
The ceremony also fell on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, one of the most important feast days of the Catholic Church which venerates the martyrdom in Rome of the two great apostles.
According to local Church sources, five deacons were supposed to be ordained in Leshan but one refused to receive ordination from the excommunicated bishop.
The other four deacons agreed to be ordained after the diocese allegedly promised them a car and money worth an estimated 150,000 yuan (US$23,600), the sources said.
Elsewhere, episcopal ordinations in Harbin and Shanghai, which were scheduled to take place this week, have been postponed.
Both bishop candidates, Fathers Joseph Yue Fusheng and Thaddeus Ma Daqin, belong to the government-sanctioned “open” Church community and hold posts in the local and national Catholic Patriotic Associations.
The reasons for the postponements are not clear to most Catholics in the two dioceses, but sources said the ordinations will go ahead no later than mid-July.
Researchers who asked not to be named suggested that authorities have delayed the ordinations to avoid more protests in Hong Kong, where pressure has been mounting, during President Hu Jintao’s three-day visit that began today.
Fr Yue had been warned by the Holy See not to receive ordination in Harbin, as he does not have a papal mandate. But the sources say they believe Chinese authorities will press ahead with the ordination.
In Shanghai the ordination of Fr Ma, who is approved by the pope will include the participation of an illegitimate bishop at the behest of the government, according to the sources.
Illegitimate bishops were also present at two other ordinations of Vatican-approved bishops in Changsha and Nanchong this year.
SHARED FROM UCAN NEWS
Bishop Paul Lei Shiyin of Leshan ordained the four new priests today, the first anniversary of his own ordination which was conducted without a papal mandate and resulted in his automatic excommunication.
The ceremony also fell on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, one of the most important feast days of the Catholic Church which venerates the martyrdom in Rome of the two great apostles.
According to local Church sources, five deacons were supposed to be ordained in Leshan but one refused to receive ordination from the excommunicated bishop.
The other four deacons agreed to be ordained after the diocese allegedly promised them a car and money worth an estimated 150,000 yuan (US$23,600), the sources said.
Elsewhere, episcopal ordinations in Harbin and Shanghai, which were scheduled to take place this week, have been postponed.
Both bishop candidates, Fathers Joseph Yue Fusheng and Thaddeus Ma Daqin, belong to the government-sanctioned “open” Church community and hold posts in the local and national Catholic Patriotic Associations.
The reasons for the postponements are not clear to most Catholics in the two dioceses, but sources said the ordinations will go ahead no later than mid-July.
Researchers who asked not to be named suggested that authorities have delayed the ordinations to avoid more protests in Hong Kong, where pressure has been mounting, during President Hu Jintao’s three-day visit that began today.
Fr Yue had been warned by the Holy See not to receive ordination in Harbin, as he does not have a papal mandate. But the sources say they believe Chinese authorities will press ahead with the ordination.
In Shanghai the ordination of Fr Ma, who is approved by the pope will include the participation of an illegitimate bishop at the behest of the government, according to the sources.
Illegitimate bishops were also present at two other ordinations of Vatican-approved bishops in Changsha and Nanchong this year.
SHARED FROM UCAN NEWS
EUROPE : RALLY AGAINST EUTHANASIA
IND. CATH. NEWS REPORT:
|
AFRICA : EGYPT : NEW PRESIDENT TAKES OATH
ASIA NEWS REPORT:
The spokesman of the Egyptian Church notes “positive and negative." First, Morsi addresses "his" people and not all of Egypt. Negative because of the request for the release of a terrorist. Among the elements of hope, the will to unite "Muslims and Christians." And he warns that behind the superficial and "sentimental" worlds lurk "problems" between the president and military.
Cairo (AsiaNews) - The oath of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi in front of "his" people, gathered in Tahrir Square in Cairo, contains lights and shadows, "positive and negative" elements. Now, we must "wait and see" future developments, especially in the power struggle "behind the scenes" with the army, to understand who will really hold power. Speaking to AsiaNews Fr. Greiche Rafiq, spokesman for the Egyptian Catholic Church, which outlines several "interesting" elements in yesterday's speech by the new head of state. Morsi was acclaimed by a cheering crowd of tens of thousands of supporters who rushed into the square that was the symbol of revolt against the Mubarak regime and the military's power. He managed to inflame the minds of his supporters with blatant gestures, such as when he unbuttoned his shirt, showing he was not wearing a bullet-proof vests. "Because - said the Muslim leader - I fear only God."
Mohammed Morsi is scheduled to take his oath later this morning before the Constitutional Supreme Court and the state institutions. From this moment he is formally conferred with the powers vested in the office, after the victory at the polls last week the Muslim Brotherhood candidate. Afterwards, the Egyptian president is expected at Cairo University, where he will deliver a speech - yet another in a few days - last stop, an army base for the transfer of power from the military. However, the events of today seem only a corollary to the central event - both political and personal - that took place yesterday: Morsi was sworn in as new head of state before the crowd of supporters, who packed into Tahrir Square. He told them he would not give up "the powers conferred by them" - despite the army moves in recent days to curtail the functions of the President - and foster the ideal of a "civil and nationalist" nation.
Commenting on Mohammed Morsi's words, spokesman for the Egyptian Catholic Church focuses on "lights and shadows", starting from the oath "in Tahrir Square in front of his people, even before the formal act" today in the presence of the institutions of the country . For Fr. Greiche this is a "negative" factor, because he took the oath yesterday in the square in front of his supporters" who are not "the whole population of Egypt." Added to this tension "with the Military Council", exacerbated in the last hours: "To swear in the street, before your people - said the priest - before the institutions", is in some way a promise of "fidelity to the supporters, to your group before the entire nation of Egypt. " Another "downside" is the request for the release or the promise to negotiate the release of Omar Abdul Rahman, considered the instigator of the first attack on the Twin Towers in New York in 1993.
However, the spokesman of the Egyptian Church also points to some "positive" aspects contained in the speech, from the fact that he did not refer to people speaking of "my people", using an Arabic word often abused in the past. Instead, he reiterated what was mentioned in recent days: the purpose of being president "of all" Egyptians, "Muslims and Christians", emphasizing the value of the minority, as well as the promise for the appointment of a Christian and a woman the vice-presidency. Fr. Greiche also cites the passage in which he Morsi recalled the value "of artists and arts", the importance of writers, film and culture. To strengthen the country's economy, he adds, the reference to "tourism" as a key driver of the nation and its growth.
However, a last and perhaps most important element remains, to better understand future developments in Egypt and power relations within it. The spokesman of the Catholic Church points out that "going beyond the sentimental speeches of the president," we must assess the nature of the relationship with the military and what differences may emerge in the near future. "If they continue like this - warns Fr. Greiche - we will soon have problems."
Meanwhile on social networks Egyptians are following comments on the oath scheduled for today and the fact that there will be no live coverage. There are hundreds of Twitter posts, some of them ironic regarding the mood of Army head General Tantawi. What is certain is that lack of coverage of his oath before the institutions today, compared to the wide echo of the speech and oath in the square yesterday, are not good omens for Egypt's new post- military presidency and Morsi. (JL)
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS
The spokesman of the Egyptian Church notes “positive and negative." First, Morsi addresses "his" people and not all of Egypt. Negative because of the request for the release of a terrorist. Among the elements of hope, the will to unite "Muslims and Christians." And he warns that behind the superficial and "sentimental" worlds lurk "problems" between the president and military.
Cairo (AsiaNews) - The oath of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi in front of "his" people, gathered in Tahrir Square in Cairo, contains lights and shadows, "positive and negative" elements. Now, we must "wait and see" future developments, especially in the power struggle "behind the scenes" with the army, to understand who will really hold power. Speaking to AsiaNews Fr. Greiche Rafiq, spokesman for the Egyptian Catholic Church, which outlines several "interesting" elements in yesterday's speech by the new head of state. Morsi was acclaimed by a cheering crowd of tens of thousands of supporters who rushed into the square that was the symbol of revolt against the Mubarak regime and the military's power. He managed to inflame the minds of his supporters with blatant gestures, such as when he unbuttoned his shirt, showing he was not wearing a bullet-proof vests. "Because - said the Muslim leader - I fear only God."
Mohammed Morsi is scheduled to take his oath later this morning before the Constitutional Supreme Court and the state institutions. From this moment he is formally conferred with the powers vested in the office, after the victory at the polls last week the Muslim Brotherhood candidate. Afterwards, the Egyptian president is expected at Cairo University, where he will deliver a speech - yet another in a few days - last stop, an army base for the transfer of power from the military. However, the events of today seem only a corollary to the central event - both political and personal - that took place yesterday: Morsi was sworn in as new head of state before the crowd of supporters, who packed into Tahrir Square. He told them he would not give up "the powers conferred by them" - despite the army moves in recent days to curtail the functions of the President - and foster the ideal of a "civil and nationalist" nation.
Commenting on Mohammed Morsi's words, spokesman for the Egyptian Catholic Church focuses on "lights and shadows", starting from the oath "in Tahrir Square in front of his people, even before the formal act" today in the presence of the institutions of the country . For Fr. Greiche this is a "negative" factor, because he took the oath yesterday in the square in front of his supporters" who are not "the whole population of Egypt." Added to this tension "with the Military Council", exacerbated in the last hours: "To swear in the street, before your people - said the priest - before the institutions", is in some way a promise of "fidelity to the supporters, to your group before the entire nation of Egypt. " Another "downside" is the request for the release or the promise to negotiate the release of Omar Abdul Rahman, considered the instigator of the first attack on the Twin Towers in New York in 1993.
However, the spokesman of the Egyptian Church also points to some "positive" aspects contained in the speech, from the fact that he did not refer to people speaking of "my people", using an Arabic word often abused in the past. Instead, he reiterated what was mentioned in recent days: the purpose of being president "of all" Egyptians, "Muslims and Christians", emphasizing the value of the minority, as well as the promise for the appointment of a Christian and a woman the vice-presidency. Fr. Greiche also cites the passage in which he Morsi recalled the value "of artists and arts", the importance of writers, film and culture. To strengthen the country's economy, he adds, the reference to "tourism" as a key driver of the nation and its growth.
However, a last and perhaps most important element remains, to better understand future developments in Egypt and power relations within it. The spokesman of the Catholic Church points out that "going beyond the sentimental speeches of the president," we must assess the nature of the relationship with the military and what differences may emerge in the near future. "If they continue like this - warns Fr. Greiche - we will soon have problems."
Meanwhile on social networks Egyptians are following comments on the oath scheduled for today and the fact that there will be no live coverage. There are hundreds of Twitter posts, some of them ironic regarding the mood of Army head General Tantawi. What is certain is that lack of coverage of his oath before the institutions today, compared to the wide echo of the speech and oath in the square yesterday, are not good omens for Egypt's new post- military presidency and Morsi. (JL)
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS
TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : SUNDAY JULY 1, 2012 - 13TH ORD. TIME YEAR B
13th Sun Ordinary Time
God did not make death, and he does not delight in the death of the living. For he created all things so that they might exist; the generative forces of the world are wholesome, and there is no destructive poison in them, and the dominion of Hades is not on earth. For righteousness is immortal. for God created men for incorruption, and made him in the image of his own eternity, but through the devil's envy death entered the world, and those who belong to his company experience it.
2nd reading: 2 Cor. 8.7, 9, 13-15
Brothers and sisters: Now as you excel in everything —in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you —so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance.
As it is written, 'The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.'
Psalms 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13
2 Yahweh, my God, I cried to you for help and you healed me.
4 Make music for Yahweh, all you who are faithful to him, praise his unforgettable holiness.
5 His anger lasts but a moment, his favour through life; In the evening come tears, but with dawn cries of joy.
6 Carefree, I used to think, 'Nothing can ever shake me!'
11 You have turned my mourning into dancing, you have stripped off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.
12 So my heart will sing to you unceasingly, Yahweh, my God, I shall praise you for ever.
Gospel: Mark 5.21-43
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the synagogue leaders named Jairus came and, when he saw Jesus, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, 'My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.' So Jesus went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, 'If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.' Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, 'Who touched my clothes?' And his disciples said to him, 'You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, "Who touched me?" ' He looked all round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth.
Jesus said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.' While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the leader's house to say, 'Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?' But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, 'Do not fear, only believe.' Jesus allowed no one to follow. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.
When he had entered, he said to them, 'Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.' And they laughed at him. Then Jesus put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, 'Talitha cum', which means, 'Little girl, get up!' And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about for she was twelve years of age. At this they were overcome with amazement. Jesus strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
1st reading: Wisdom 1.13-15;
2.23-24
God did not make death, and he does not delight in the death of the living. For he created all things so that they might exist; the generative forces of the world are wholesome, and there is no destructive poison in them, and the dominion of Hades is not on earth. For righteousness is immortal. for God created men for incorruption, and made him in the image of his own eternity, but through the devil's envy death entered the world, and those who belong to his company experience it.
2nd reading: 2 Cor. 8.7, 9, 13-15
Brothers and sisters: Now as you excel in everything —in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you —so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance.
As it is written, 'The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.'
Psalms 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13
2 Yahweh, my God, I cried to you for help and you healed me.
4 Make music for Yahweh, all you who are faithful to him, praise his unforgettable holiness.
5 His anger lasts but a moment, his favour through life; In the evening come tears, but with dawn cries of joy.
6 Carefree, I used to think, 'Nothing can ever shake me!'
11 You have turned my mourning into dancing, you have stripped off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.
12 So my heart will sing to you unceasingly, Yahweh, my God, I shall praise you for ever.
Gospel: Mark 5.21-43
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the synagogue leaders named Jairus came and, when he saw Jesus, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, 'My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.' So Jesus went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, 'If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.' Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, 'Who touched my clothes?' And his disciples said to him, 'You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, "Who touched me?" ' He looked all round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth.
Jesus said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.' While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the leader's house to say, 'Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?' But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, 'Do not fear, only believe.' Jesus allowed no one to follow. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.
When he had entered, he said to them, 'Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.' And they laughed at him. Then Jesus put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, 'Talitha cum', which means, 'Little girl, get up!' And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about for she was twelve years of age. At this they were overcome with amazement. Jesus strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
TODAY'S SAINT: JULY 1: BL. JUNIPERO SERRA
Bl. Junípero Serra
MISSIONARY
Feast: July 1
 Information:
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Born
at Petra, Island of Majorca, 24 November, 1713; died at Monterey, California, 28
August, 1784.
On
14 September, 1730, he entered the Franciscan Order. For his proficiency in
studies he was appointed lector of philosophy before his ordination to the
priesthood. Later he received the degree of Doctor of Theology from the Lullian
University at Palma, where he also occupied the Duns Scotus chair of philosophy
until he joined the missionary college of San Fernando, Mexico (1749). While
traveling on foot from Vera Cruz to the capital, he injured his leg in such a
way that he suffered from it throughout his life, though he continued to make
his journeys on foot whenever possible. At his own request he was assigned to
theSierra Gorda Indian Missions some thirty leagues north of Querétaro. He
served there for nine years, part of the time as superior, learned the language
of the Pame Indians, and translated the catechism into their language. Recalled
to Mexico, he became famous as a most fervent and effective preacher of
missions. His zeal frequently led him to employ extraordinary means in order to
move the people to penance. He would pound his breast with a stone while in the
pulpit, scourge himself, or apply a lighted torch to his bare chest. In 1767 he
was appointed superior of a band of fifteen Franciscans for the Indian Missions
of Lower California. Early in 1769 he accompanied Portolá's land expedition to
Upper California. On the way (14 May) he established the Mission San Fernando de
Velicatá, Lower California. He arrived at San Diego on 1 July, and on 16 July
founded the first of the twenty-one California missions which accomplished the
conversions of all the natives on the coast as far as Sonoma in the north. Those
established by Father Serra or during his administration were San Carlos (3
June, 1770); San Antonio (14 July, 1771); San Gabriel (8 September, 1771); San
Luis Obispo (1 September, 1772); San Francisco de Asis (8 October, 1776); San
Juan Capistrano (1 Nov. 1776); Santa Clara (12 January, 1777); San Buenaventura
(31 March, 1782). He was also present at the founding of the presidio of Santa
Barbara (21 April, 1782), and was prevented from locating the mission there at
the time only through the animosity of Governor Philipe de Neve. Difficulties
with Pedro Fages, the military commander, compelled Father Serra in 1773 to lay
the case before Viceroy Bucareli. At the capital of Mexico, by order of the
viceroy, he drew up his "Representación" in thirty-two articles. Everything save
two minor points was decided in his favour; he then returned to California, late
in 1774. In 1778 he received the faculty to administer the Sacrament of
Confirmation. After he had exercised his privilege for a year, Governor Neve
directed him to suspend administering the sacrament until he could present the
papal Brief. For nearly two years Father Serra refrained, and then Viceroy
Majorga gave instructions to the effect that Father Serra was within his rights.
During the remaining three years of his life he once more visited the missions
from San Diego to San Francisco, six hundred miles, in order to confirm all who
had been baptized. He suffered intensely from his crippled leg and from his
chest, yet he would use no remedies. He confirmed 5309 persons, who, with but
few exceptions, were Indians converted during the fourteen years from 1770.
Besides extraordinary fortitude, his most conspicuous virtues were insatiable
zeal, love of mortification, self-denial, and absolute confidence in God. His
executive abilities has been especially noted by non-Catholic writers. The
esteem in which his memory is held by all classes in California may be gathered
from the fact that Mrs. Stanford, not a Catholic, had a granite monument erected
to him at Monterey. A bronze statute of heroic size represents him as the
apostolic preacher in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. In 1884 the Legislature
of California passed a concurrent resolution making 29 August of that year, the
centennial of Father Serra's burial, a legal holiday. Of his writings many
letters and other documentation are extant. The principal ones are his "Diario"
of the journey from Loreto to San Diego, which was published in "Out West"
(March to June, 1902), and the "Representación" before
mentioned.
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SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/bljuniperoserra.asp#ixzz1QuB07aKZ
Marie-Josephte Fitzbach (1806 – 1885), a Canadian widow and
founder of the 