2013
Vatican Radio REPORT Pope Francis prayed the Regina caeli with more than 80 thousand people gathered in St Peter's Square this Third Sunday of Easter. Below, please find Vatican Radio's tranlsation of his remarks before the traditional Eastertide prayer of Marian devotion.
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Dear brothers and sisters, a good day to you!
I would like to touch briefly on the passage from the Acts of the Apostles, which we read in the liturgy of this Third Sunday of Easter. This text says that the first preaching of the Apostles in Jerusalem filled the cities with the news that Jesus had truly risen, according to the Scriptures, and he was the Messiah foretold by the Prophets. The chief priests and the rulers of the city tried to nip the community of Christian believers in the bud. They imprisoned the Apostles, ordering them not to teach in his name. Peter and the other eleven answered, however, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus … exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior … And we are witnesses to these things and so is the Holy Spirit[.](Acts 5:29-32)” So they scourged the Apostles and commanded them not to speak again in the name of Jesus And they went, “rejoic[ing] that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name [of Jesus]. (Acts 5:41)”
And I ask myself: “Where were the first disciples the strength for this their testimony?” Not only: whence came to them the courage to preach and the joy of preaching, notwithstanding the obstacles and violence [they faced]? Do not forget that the Apostles were simple men. They were neither scribes, nor teachers of the law, nor of the priestly class. How could they, with [all] their limits, and opposed by the authorities, fill Jerusalem with their teaching (cf. Acts 5:28)? Only the presence of the Risen Lord with them, and the action of the Holy Spirit can explain this. It was the Lord, who was with them, and the Spirit, who moved them to preach: [this] explains this extraordinary episode. Their faith was based on so powerful and personal an experience of Christ crucified and risen, that they were not afraid of anything or anyone, and even saw their persecution as a badge of honor, that made them capable of following in the footsteps of Jesus and to be like Him, bearing witness [to Him] with their lives.
This history of the first Christian community tells us something very important, which applies to the Church in every age, and so to us: when a person truly knows Jesus Christ and believes in Him, one experiences His presence and the power of His Resurrection in one’s life, and one cannot help but communicate this experience. If it encounters misunderstanding or adversity, one behaves like Jesus in His Passion: one responds with love and with the power of truth.
As we pray the Regina Caeli together, let us ask the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary that the Church worldwide might proclaim the Resurrection of the Lord with frankness and courage, and bear effective witness through signs of brotherly love – for brotherly love is the most intimate witness we can bear to [the truth] that Jesus is alive and with us, that Jesus is Risen. Let us pray especially for Christians who suffer persecution – [and] in these times, there are many Christians who suffer persecution, a great many, in many countries: let us pray for them from our heart, with love, that they might feel the living and comforting presence of the Risen Lord.
SUNDAY MASS WITH POPE FRANCIS
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I would like to touch briefly on the passage from the Acts of the Apostles, which we read in the liturgy of this Third Sunday of Easter. This text says that the first preaching of the Apostles in Jerusalem filled the cities with the news that Jesus had truly risen, according to the Scriptures, and he was the Messiah foretold by the Prophets. The chief priests and the rulers of the city tried to nip the community of Christian believers in the bud. They imprisoned the Apostles, ordering them not to teach in his name. Peter and the other eleven answered, however, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus … exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior … And we are witnesses to these things and so is the Holy Spirit[.](Acts 5:29-32)” So they scourged the Apostles and commanded them not to speak again in the name of Jesus And they went, “rejoic[ing] that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name [of Jesus]. (Acts 5:41)”
And I ask myself: “Where were the first disciples the strength for this their testimony?” Not only: whence came to them the courage to preach and the joy of preaching, notwithstanding the obstacles and violence [they faced]? Do not forget that the Apostles were simple men. They were neither scribes, nor teachers of the law, nor of the priestly class. How could they, with [all] their limits, and opposed by the authorities, fill Jerusalem with their teaching (cf. Acts 5:28)? Only the presence of the Risen Lord with them, and the action of the Holy Spirit can explain this. It was the Lord, who was with them, and the Spirit, who moved them to preach: [this] explains this extraordinary episode. Their faith was based on so powerful and personal an experience of Christ crucified and risen, that they were not afraid of anything or anyone, and even saw their persecution as a badge of honor, that made them capable of following in the footsteps of Jesus and to be like Him, bearing witness [to Him] with their lives.
This history of the first Christian community tells us something very important, which applies to the Church in every age, and so to us: when a person truly knows Jesus Christ and believes in Him, one experiences His presence and the power of His Resurrection in one’s life, and one cannot help but communicate this experience. If it encounters misunderstanding or adversity, one behaves like Jesus in His Passion: one responds with love and with the power of truth.
As we pray the Regina Caeli together, let us ask the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary that the Church worldwide might proclaim the Resurrection of the Lord with frankness and courage, and bear effective witness through signs of brotherly love – for brotherly love is the most intimate witness we can bear to [the truth] that Jesus is alive and with us, that Jesus is Risen. Let us pray especially for Christians who suffer persecution – [and] in these times, there are many Christians who suffer persecution, a great many, in many countries: let us pray for them from our heart, with love, that they might feel the living and comforting presence of the Risen Lord.
SUNDAY MASS WITH POPE FRANCIS
POPE JOHN PAUL II STATUE STANDS 14M HIGH IN POLAND
THENEWS.PL REPORT
A five tonne, 14 metre-high statue of John Paul II has been unveiled on a hill in Czestochowa, southern Poland.
photo - PAP/Waldemar Deska
The fibre-glass statue of the late Polish Pope stands near the most important pilgrimage site in Poland, the Jasna Gora monastery.
The statue faces, not the monastery and the holy shrine of the Black Madonna – as a local Facebook protest has called for – but the town of Wadowice, the home-town of Karol Wojtyla who in 1978 became the first non-Italian pope since 1523.(pg)
SHARED FROM THENEWS.PL
5 NEW PRIESTS ORDAINED IN ORISSA - INDIA
ASIA NEWS IT REPORT: by Santosh Digal
Some 70 priests, 100 nuns and 5,000 Catholics took part in the ceremony. For Mgr John Barwa SVD, from the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, these new ordinations are a sign that "God has neither left us nor forgotten us" and that "the faith in Kandhamal continues to shine."
Raikia (AsiaNews) - In the District of Kandhamal, the Church is celebrating the ordination of five new priests. About 70 other priests, 100 nuns and 5,000 Catholics attended yesterday's ceremony, which was held at the Church of Our Lady of Charity and led by Mgr John Barwa SVD, archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar. The new priests are Fr Aswin Kumar Singh, Fr Bikram Pradhan, Fr Jiten Kumar Pradhan, Fr Kapilas Nayak and Fr Rashmikant Nayak, all from Kandhamal itself, the focal point of Orissa's anti-Christian pogroms of 2007 and 2008
"In the Year of Faith," the archbishop said in his homily, "these new priests are a gift from God to the archdiocese, but especially to Kandhamal. In spite of the anti-Christian persecution of 2007 and 2008, God has not left us or forgotten us. He is with us and he gave us these young priests so that they may serve the Church. This is a clear sign that faith in Kandhamal continues to shine."
Addressing the new priests during the Mass, the archbishop said, "The priesthood is centred on Christ who came to serve and not to be served. By living and emulating Christ's life, every priest must serve everyone else, not just Christians, but people of all faiths. Jesus came to give us salvation, peace, joy and happiness. Christ's words 'I thirst' must resonate in our hearts and in our minds. As priests of Kandhamal, we are called to bring peace, joy and reconciliation among all the people of Orissa. "
Archbishop Barwa reminded those present that by washing the feet of inmates at the Casal del Marmo youth detention facility, Pope Francis "reminded us that we should serve everyone, without distinction of caste or creed."
Addressing the new priests' parents and all the worshippers present, the prelate stressed the importance of encouraging boys and girls to embrace the priesthood and religious life.
With the new ordinations, the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar now has 91 diocesan priests and 54 religious.
According to data collected by the Church, at least 100 people were killed by the violence unleashed by Hindu nationalists in Orissa, particularly in Kandhamal, beginning at Christmas 2007 followed by a series of attacks in August 2008.
More than 54,000 Christians were left homeless, nearly 300 churches were destroyed, as well as a number of convents, schools, hostels and care facilities.
Although some homes and villages have been rebuilt, again thanks to the action of the local Church, the life of these communities has not yet gone back to normal.
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
Some 70 priests, 100 nuns and 5,000 Catholics took part in the ceremony. For Mgr John Barwa SVD, from the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, these new ordinations are a sign that "God has neither left us nor forgotten us" and that "the faith in Kandhamal continues to shine."
_0411_-_Ordinazione_sacerdotale.jpg)
Raikia (AsiaNews) - In the District of Kandhamal, the Church is celebrating the ordination of five new priests. About 70 other priests, 100 nuns and 5,000 Catholics attended yesterday's ceremony, which was held at the Church of Our Lady of Charity and led by Mgr John Barwa SVD, archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar. The new priests are Fr Aswin Kumar Singh, Fr Bikram Pradhan, Fr Jiten Kumar Pradhan, Fr Kapilas Nayak and Fr Rashmikant Nayak, all from Kandhamal itself, the focal point of Orissa's anti-Christian pogroms of 2007 and 2008
"In the Year of Faith," the archbishop said in his homily, "these new priests are a gift from God to the archdiocese, but especially to Kandhamal. In spite of the anti-Christian persecution of 2007 and 2008, God has not left us or forgotten us. He is with us and he gave us these young priests so that they may serve the Church. This is a clear sign that faith in Kandhamal continues to shine."
Addressing the new priests during the Mass, the archbishop said, "The priesthood is centred on Christ who came to serve and not to be served. By living and emulating Christ's life, every priest must serve everyone else, not just Christians, but people of all faiths. Jesus came to give us salvation, peace, joy and happiness. Christ's words 'I thirst' must resonate in our hearts and in our minds. As priests of Kandhamal, we are called to bring peace, joy and reconciliation among all the people of Orissa. "
Archbishop Barwa reminded those present that by washing the feet of inmates at the Casal del Marmo youth detention facility, Pope Francis "reminded us that we should serve everyone, without distinction of caste or creed."
Addressing the new priests' parents and all the worshippers present, the prelate stressed the importance of encouraging boys and girls to embrace the priesthood and religious life.
With the new ordinations, the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar now has 91 diocesan priests and 54 religious.
According to data collected by the Church, at least 100 people were killed by the violence unleashed by Hindu nationalists in Orissa, particularly in Kandhamal, beginning at Christmas 2007 followed by a series of attacks in August 2008.
More than 54,000 Christians were left homeless, nearly 300 churches were destroyed, as well as a number of convents, schools, hostels and care facilities.
Although some homes and villages have been rebuilt, again thanks to the action of the local Church, the life of these communities has not yet gone back to normal.
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
ST. MARY MACKILLOP CHAPEL BLESSING WITH BISHOP
DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA RELEASE
(redirects to the Catholic Outlook site)
SHARED FROM DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA
St Mary of the Cross Chapel Blessing
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| Photo: Alfred Boudib, Visualeyes Photography |
The newly unveiled St Mary of the Cross Chapel at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta was blessed by Most Rev Anthony Fisher OP following the Solemn Mass on Sunday 17 March.
The ceremony also saw Bishop Anthony announce the launch of Project Ten, which will fund endeavours such as the St Mary of the Cross Chapel and further adornment of St Patrick’s Cathedral, enhancing future celebrations.
Listen to Bishop Anthony’s Homily for Sunday 17 March
Related:
Project Ten: moving forward together(redirects to the Catholic Outlook site)
SHARED FROM DIOCESE OF PARRAMATTA
PAPUA NEW GUINEA - BISHOPS ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER - SOCIAL MEDIA EVANGELIZATION
Agenzia Fides REPORT - The Bishops of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands proclaim and bear witness to the faith on social networks, in response to the message for the World Day of Social Communications 2013, which defines social networks "new areas of evangelization." As reported to Fides by the communications Office of the Episcopal Conference, this is what emerged during the Assembly of Bishops of Papua and Solomon, being held in Madang. Some Bishops are already present and active on Facebook and Twitter, and use social media as communication spaces and of missions. The Conference established that special catechetical, liturgical and pastoral programs online based on social networks will be studied and elaborated.
"While social communication is now definitely interactive - says the note sent to Fides - the main problem for Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands is in Internet services, still weak, unreliable and expensive." In addition there is a gap between young people in urban areas - living perpetually "connected" - and those in rural areas, for which digital services are scarce.
The Bishops explain: "The interactive communication via the Internet breaks down the barriers of time and space, gives greater access to information, culture and entertainment, promotes pluralism, exposes people to positive and negative content." In this context, "social media create a new culture and a new way of life that requires not only the presence of the Church in the use of mass media, but also the witness and proclamation of the Gospel in this new field." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 11/04/2013)
"While social communication is now definitely interactive - says the note sent to Fides - the main problem for Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands is in Internet services, still weak, unreliable and expensive." In addition there is a gap between young people in urban areas - living perpetually "connected" - and those in rural areas, for which digital services are scarce.
The Bishops explain: "The interactive communication via the Internet breaks down the barriers of time and space, gives greater access to information, culture and entertainment, promotes pluralism, exposes people to positive and negative content." In this context, "social media create a new culture and a new way of life that requires not only the presence of the Church in the use of mass media, but also the witness and proclamation of the Gospel in this new field." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 11/04/2013)
SUNDAY MASS ONLINE : APRIL 14, 2013 - 3RD OF EASTER
Apr 14, 2013 - 3rd Sun Easter
Acts 5: 27 - 32, 40 - 41
27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them,28saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us."29But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.30The God of our fathers raised Jesus whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.32And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."40So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.41Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
| Psalms 30: 2, 4 - 6, 11 - 13 | |||||||||||
| 2 | O LORD my God, I cried to thee for help, and thou hast healed me. | ||||||||||
| 4 | Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. | ||||||||||
| 5 | For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. | ||||||||||
| 6 | As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved." | ||||||||||
| 11 | Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, | ||||||||||
| 12 | that my soul may praise thee and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to thee for ever.
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TODAY'S SAINT : APRIL 14 : ST. TIBURTIUS, ST. VALERIAN AND ST. MAXIMUS
Sts. Tiburtius, Valerian, Maximus
MARTYRS
Feast: April 14
Information:
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Known by their inclusion in the Acts of St. Cecilia. It is generally accepted that the Acts are fiction, but the three perhaps were genuine martyrs, especially as their tombs in the cemetery of Praetextatus were exceedingly popular duing the Middle Ages. According to the Acts, Valerian was Cecilia's husband, Tiburtius her brother, and Maximus a Roman soldier or official who died with them.
(Taken from Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints) |
