Vatican Radio REPORT: Lukewarm Christians are those who want to build a church to their own specifications, but it is not the Church of Jesus: this is what Pope Francis said today during a Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae. Present at the Mass were volunteers from the pediatric dispensary "Santa Marta" in the Vatican, entrusted to the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, who for 90 years have supported children and families in need in Rome without distinction of religion or nationality.
The first Christian community, after the persecution, lives a moment of peace, it is united, it walks and grows "in the fear of the Lord and with the comfort of the Holy Spirit": This was the Pope’s comment following the reading from the Acts of the Apostles. It is this very air in which the Church lives and breathes, called to walk in the presence of God in an irreproachable manner:
"It 'is a style of the Church. To walk in the fear of the Lord is a 'sense of adoration, the presence of God, no? The Church walks and so when we are in the presence of God we do not do bad things or make bad decisions. We are in God's sight with joy and happiness: this is the security of the Holy Spirit, that is the gift that the Lord has given us - this comfort - that keeps us going. "
In the Gospel from the liturgy of the day many disciples truly believe the language of Jesus, they whisper, are shocked and eventually leave the Master:
"These people have turned away, they are gone, they say, 'this man is a bit' strange, he says things that are hard…It 's too big a risk to go down this road. We have common sense, eh? Let's go 'back a little and not so close to Him'. These people, perhaps, had a certain admiration for Jesus, but little 'from afar: not to meddle too much with this man, because he says things that are a bit' strange ... ".
These Christians - the Pope said - " are not united in the Church, they do not walk in God's presence, they don’t have the security of the Holy Spirit, they do not make up the Church":
"They are Christians of good sense only: they keep their distance. Christians - so to speak they are - 'satellites', that have a small church, in size: to quote the words of Jesus in Revelation, 'lukewarm Christians'. The indifference that is in the Church ... They walk only in the presence of common sense, common sense ... that worldly prudence: This is a temptation just worldly prudence. "
Pope Francis reflected on so many Christians "that now bear witness to the name of Jesus, even unto martyrdom." These - he says - are not 'Christian satellites', because "they go with Jesus on the path of Jesus":
"These people know exactly what Peter says to the Lord. They understand exactly what Peter says the Lord, when the Lord asks the question: 'Do you also want to go, be' Christian satellites '?'. Simon Peter answers him: 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life '. So from a large group there becomes a group a little 'smaller, but those who know perfectly well that they cannot go somewhere else, because only He, the Lord, has the words of eternal life. "
The Pope finally recites this prayer:
"Let us pray for the Church, will continue to grow, unite, to walk in the fear of God and with the security of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord deliver us from the temptation of that 'common sense', and in inverted commas, “the temptation to whisper against Jesus, because it is too demanding, and the temptation from scandal. So be it. "
SHARED FROM RADIO VATICANA
The first Christian community, after the persecution, lives a moment of peace, it is united, it walks and grows "in the fear of the Lord and with the comfort of the Holy Spirit": This was the Pope’s comment following the reading from the Acts of the Apostles. It is this very air in which the Church lives and breathes, called to walk in the presence of God in an irreproachable manner:
"It 'is a style of the Church. To walk in the fear of the Lord is a 'sense of adoration, the presence of God, no? The Church walks and so when we are in the presence of God we do not do bad things or make bad decisions. We are in God's sight with joy and happiness: this is the security of the Holy Spirit, that is the gift that the Lord has given us - this comfort - that keeps us going. "
In the Gospel from the liturgy of the day many disciples truly believe the language of Jesus, they whisper, are shocked and eventually leave the Master:
"These people have turned away, they are gone, they say, 'this man is a bit' strange, he says things that are hard…It 's too big a risk to go down this road. We have common sense, eh? Let's go 'back a little and not so close to Him'. These people, perhaps, had a certain admiration for Jesus, but little 'from afar: not to meddle too much with this man, because he says things that are a bit' strange ... ".
These Christians - the Pope said - " are not united in the Church, they do not walk in God's presence, they don’t have the security of the Holy Spirit, they do not make up the Church":
"They are Christians of good sense only: they keep their distance. Christians - so to speak they are - 'satellites', that have a small church, in size: to quote the words of Jesus in Revelation, 'lukewarm Christians'. The indifference that is in the Church ... They walk only in the presence of common sense, common sense ... that worldly prudence: This is a temptation just worldly prudence. "
Pope Francis reflected on so many Christians "that now bear witness to the name of Jesus, even unto martyrdom." These - he says - are not 'Christian satellites', because "they go with Jesus on the path of Jesus":
"These people know exactly what Peter says to the Lord. They understand exactly what Peter says the Lord, when the Lord asks the question: 'Do you also want to go, be' Christian satellites '?'. Simon Peter answers him: 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life '. So from a large group there becomes a group a little 'smaller, but those who know perfectly well that they cannot go somewhere else, because only He, the Lord, has the words of eternal life. "
The Pope finally recites this prayer:
"Let us pray for the Church, will continue to grow, unite, to walk in the fear of God and with the security of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord deliver us from the temptation of that 'common sense', and in inverted commas, “the temptation to whisper against Jesus, because it is too demanding, and the temptation from scandal. So be it. "
SHARED FROM RADIO VATICANA
BOSTON MARATHON BOMBER CAUGHT BY POLICE
THE 2 BOSTON MARATHON BOMBERS have been caught. The two brothers Tamarlan Tsarnaev, age 26, was killed and his brother Dzhokhar, age 19 was apprehended by police. The city of Boston was under a complete lock-down with hundreds of police and military storming the city looking for the bombers. The elder brother, Tamarlan, was killed in a shoot out with police on Thursday. Sadly, a police officer named Sean Collier (below), age 26, was killed. He was shot as the bombers tried to rob a 7-Eleven store. The younger brother, Dzhokhar, (pictured right) was found in a boat parked outside a house in a residential neighborhood in Boston. He had engaged in a shoot out with police and was captured covered in blood. The residents of Boston celebrated on the streets after the capture. They are both from an area near Chechnya close to Russia. However, they have lived in the USA since 2002. The brothers placed bombs near the finish line of the Boston Marathon killing 3 and wounding 160. (Images shared from Google) For more info see:
IMMACULEE - RWANDA GENOCIDE SURVIVOR BECOMES US CITIZEN
CISA NEWS REPORT
WASHINGTON, April 19, 2013 (CISA) -At the end of a process that has taken her 15 years to complete, world-renowned Rwandan genocide survivor and peace advocate Immaculee Ilibagiza became an American citizen the morning of April 17 in New York City.
“I was completely in tears,” she told Catholic News Service in a phone interview April 18. “To be accepted in this country … was like receiving a gift. … I hear my father saying, ‘now you have the right to be here, you don’t have to worry.”
An estimated 800,000 people – including most members of her family – were brutally murdered during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. In the early stages of the conflict, Ilibagiza was sent to hide with a member of another tribe at the behest of her father. “I am here today … because my father had trust in the man from that tribe,” she told an audience of 50 other immigrants who received their citizenship at the same ceremony.
A Catholic, the then-college student endured 91 days hiding in a bathroom from the “killers” who were looking for her. In her book “Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust,” she wrote: “They were … right on the other side of the wall. Less than an inch of plaster and wood separated us. Their footsteps shook the house, and I could hear their machetes and spears scraping along the walls. In the chaos, I recognized the voice of a family friend. ‘I have killed 399 cockroaches,’ he boasted. ‘Immaculee will make 400.’”
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS
“I was completely in tears,” she told Catholic News Service in a phone interview April 18. “To be accepted in this country … was like receiving a gift. … I hear my father saying, ‘now you have the right to be here, you don’t have to worry.”
An estimated 800,000 people – including most members of her family – were brutally murdered during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. In the early stages of the conflict, Ilibagiza was sent to hide with a member of another tribe at the behest of her father. “I am here today … because my father had trust in the man from that tribe,” she told an audience of 50 other immigrants who received their citizenship at the same ceremony.
A Catholic, the then-college student endured 91 days hiding in a bathroom from the “killers” who were looking for her. In her book “Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust,” she wrote: “They were … right on the other side of the wall. Less than an inch of plaster and wood separated us. Their footsteps shook the house, and I could hear their machetes and spears scraping along the walls. In the chaos, I recognized the voice of a family friend. ‘I have killed 399 cockroaches,’ he boasted. ‘Immaculee will make 400.’”
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS
ROBIN HOOD COLLECTS MONEY FOR POOR - 6 YEAR OLD BOY DRESSES UP AND GOES DOOR TO DOOR
IND. CATH. NEWS REPORT
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CHURCH OF FRANCISCANS DESTROYED BY EXPLOSION IN SYRIA
Unnamed church in Deir Ezzor Wiki imageAgenzia Fides REPORT - A violent explosion destroyed the church and convent of the Capuchin Franciscan Friars in Deir Ezzor, in Mesopotamia. The information sent to Fides by Fr. Tony Haddad, Vice-Provincial of the Friars for the Near East, who oversees the Capuchin presence in Lebanon and Syria. The explosion occurred on April 15. "It was the only church in Deir Ezzor still remained almost untouched so far." It is not clear how it was destroyed. According to some reconstructions, the church had been breached and some opposition fighters were stationed there. The regular army then hit the church, destroying it. Others speak of a car bomb placed next to the structure. Fr. Haddad said with great bitterness "all this hate and desecration." In that area – he informs - "there are no more Christians." In past months, given the critical situation, "our two friars who lived in the convent left Deir Ezzor with the Sisters of Mother Teresa and ten elders who lived with us. They were the last remaining Christians. I thank the Lord that the two friars are alive and well. The church of stones can be rebuilt one day, when a spring of peace will appear in our Middle East, " notes Fr. Haddad.
Deir Ezzor is a city in eastern Syria, beyond the Euphrates, between Palmyra and the Iraqi border. "Our presence there dates back to the thirties of last century, but we have been in the Middle East for much longer," said Fr. Tony. "In almost four centuries of history, our Vice-Province has suffered several destructions and persecutions, but it has always risen, with the Risen Christ." Another community of Capuchin Franciscan friars still remains in southern Syria, in Soueida - where two friars live.
According to information of Syrian opposition activists, army planes bombed in the past days two Syriac Orthodox churches in Deir Ezzor and Christian families have left the city due to the intensification of clashes between loyalist and opposition forces. The Syrian Orthodox Church affirms that its churches have been affected in all the provinces, in Harasta, Arbin, Zabadani, Deraa, Aleppo, Damascus, Raqqa. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 19/04/2013)
EARTHQUAKE KILLS 70 AND INJURES 600 IN CHINA
ASIA NEWS REPORT
The death toll is still partial. Two strong aftershocks of magnitude 6.6 and 7.0 struck this morning around at 8.00 am local time. The epicenter is about 51 km west of the city of Linqionq. The earthquake caused landslides, mudslides and leveled entire buildings. Panic in the megalopolis of Chongqing located several hundred kilometers to the south-east of the epicenter. Xi Jinping orders the authorities to make every effort to assist the affected population.
Linqiong (AsiaNews / Agencies) - 72 people are dead and over 600 injured following two strong earthquakes (magnitude 6.6 and 7.0) that struck southwest Sichuan this morning between 8.00 and 8.02 (local time). The epicenter of the quake was registered at about 51 km west of the city of Linqiong. Due to the depth of only about 12 km, the aftershocks caused significant damage, landslides and destroyed homes and public buildings.
The quake caused panic in several cities hundreds of miles away from the epicenter, including the megacity of Chongqing, south-east of Linqiong, where the population (about 30 million inhabitants) poured into the streets.
After the scandals of the 2008 earthquake, which killed over 87 thousand people, the authorities of Sichuan province were immediately mobilized to help the most affected areas. Even President Xi Jinping has ordered that "every effort must be made to help the victims and rescue the missing."
On the popular Chinese social network Weibo one of the rescuers expressed his concern by saying that the quake-hit area is surrounded by mountains and most of the roads are blocked due to landslides. Also on Sina Weibo users have different uploaded photographs and videos of the tragedy, also to help the teams to recognize the territory.
According to state news agency Xinhua, the local government of Chengdu, the capital of the region, has sent about 2 thousand soldiers to the area of the epicenter.
In May 2008, the province experienced one of the worst earthquakes in recent decades. The quake hit the villages to the north-west of the city of Chengdu. The disaster destroyed the entire province causing damage and casualties in neighboring region of Shaanxi and Gansu. Despite the prominence given to the tragedy through the state media with photos of Premier Wen Jiabao in front of the rubble, the population began a series of protests after the discovery that many schools had collapsed killing thousands of children, while other buildings remained unscathed. Instead of immediately investigating the incident and punishing those responsible, the government preferred to censor the inhabitants, turning the tragedy of the children who died in the Sichuan quake into a taboo subject. Even today, terms such as "children, earthquake in Sichuan, schools" are censored by the government on the Chinese search engines
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
The death toll is still partial. Two strong aftershocks of magnitude 6.6 and 7.0 struck this morning around at 8.00 am local time. The epicenter is about 51 km west of the city of Linqionq. The earthquake caused landslides, mudslides and leveled entire buildings. Panic in the megalopolis of Chongqing located several hundred kilometers to the south-east of the epicenter. Xi Jinping orders the authorities to make every effort to assist the affected population.
_0420_-_Terremoto.jpg)
Linqiong (AsiaNews / Agencies) - 72 people are dead and over 600 injured following two strong earthquakes (magnitude 6.6 and 7.0) that struck southwest Sichuan this morning between 8.00 and 8.02 (local time). The epicenter of the quake was registered at about 51 km west of the city of Linqiong. Due to the depth of only about 12 km, the aftershocks caused significant damage, landslides and destroyed homes and public buildings.
The quake caused panic in several cities hundreds of miles away from the epicenter, including the megacity of Chongqing, south-east of Linqiong, where the population (about 30 million inhabitants) poured into the streets.
After the scandals of the 2008 earthquake, which killed over 87 thousand people, the authorities of Sichuan province were immediately mobilized to help the most affected areas. Even President Xi Jinping has ordered that "every effort must be made to help the victims and rescue the missing."
On the popular Chinese social network Weibo one of the rescuers expressed his concern by saying that the quake-hit area is surrounded by mountains and most of the roads are blocked due to landslides. Also on Sina Weibo users have different uploaded photographs and videos of the tragedy, also to help the teams to recognize the territory.
According to state news agency Xinhua, the local government of Chengdu, the capital of the region, has sent about 2 thousand soldiers to the area of the epicenter.
In May 2008, the province experienced one of the worst earthquakes in recent decades. The quake hit the villages to the north-west of the city of Chengdu. The disaster destroyed the entire province causing damage and casualties in neighboring region of Shaanxi and Gansu. Despite the prominence given to the tragedy through the state media with photos of Premier Wen Jiabao in front of the rubble, the population began a series of protests after the discovery that many schools had collapsed killing thousands of children, while other buildings remained unscathed. Instead of immediately investigating the incident and punishing those responsible, the government preferred to censor the inhabitants, turning the tragedy of the children who died in the Sichuan quake into a taboo subject. Even today, terms such as "children, earthquake in Sichuan, schools" are censored by the government on the Chinese search engines
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
CATHOLIC WOMEN'S LEAGUE CELEBRATES 100 YEARS IN AUSTRALIA
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
19 Apr 2013
The Catholic Women's League Archdiocese of Sydney celebrated their Centenary today with a special mass at St Mary's Cathedral followed by a lunch at Parliament House for members and friends and the launch of their DVD "At the Heart of Women".
A handful of women started CWL Sydney in 1913 but since then thousands have worked tirelessly, with courage and conviction, for the church and society.
The women stood together helping wherever they could during two world wars and the biggest depression the world has known.
They have constantly and consistently promoted family values and have been staunch defenders of those who have been exploited or manipulated.
The women not only work with parish connections but have developed programs in the areas of justice and education and have supported many community6 projects here and overseas.
Auxiliary Bishop of the Sydney Archdiocese, Bishop Terry Brady said the Catholic Women's League has shown a wonderful and strong tradition in the Catholic Church which many can look to and admire.
Many members, past and present office holders, politicians, clergy, religious and Catholic organisations were represented at the mass and the lunch - a sign of the esteem in which the CWL is held in Sydney.
The Governor of NSW, Prof Marie Bashir was a special guest at the Centenary Mass. She also spoke highly of the CWL and all the women who, bonded by friendship, their faith and a strong support network, contributed and continue to contribute so much to society.
It came as a great surprise to all those at the lunch when the Attorney-General, Mr Greg Smith read a message from Premier Barry O'Farrell announcing the retirement of Governor Bashir in September 2014.
All applauded when Mr Smith read the message which said Prof Bashir is "an inspiration to everyone she meets, from children in schools, business leaders, visiting Heads of State, to those affected by natural disasters and members of our ethnic and Indigenous communities."
The Centenary DVD chronicles the proud history of the CWL Sydney, of nurturing and developing women through engagement in emerging and innovative roles both in the church community and in wider society.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
19 Apr 2013
CWL Sydney President Moya Potts
A handful of women started CWL Sydney in 1913 but since then thousands have worked tirelessly, with courage and conviction, for the church and society.
The women stood together helping wherever they could during two world wars and the biggest depression the world has known.
They have constantly and consistently promoted family values and have been staunch defenders of those who have been exploited or manipulated.
The women not only work with parish connections but have developed programs in the areas of justice and education and have supported many community6 projects here and overseas.
Auxiliary Bishop of the Sydney Archdiocese, Bishop Terry Brady said the Catholic Women's League has shown a wonderful and strong tradition in the Catholic Church which many can look to and admire.
Many members, past and present office holders, politicians, clergy, religious and Catholic organisations were represented at the mass and the lunch - a sign of the esteem in which the CWL is held in Sydney.
The Governor of NSW, Prof Marie Bashir was a special guest at the Centenary Mass. She also spoke highly of the CWL and all the women who, bonded by friendship, their faith and a strong support network, contributed and continue to contribute so much to society.
It came as a great surprise to all those at the lunch when the Attorney-General, Mr Greg Smith read a message from Premier Barry O'Farrell announcing the retirement of Governor Bashir in September 2014.
All applauded when Mr Smith read the message which said Prof Bashir is "an inspiration to everyone she meets, from children in schools, business leaders, visiting Heads of State, to those affected by natural disasters and members of our ethnic and Indigenous communities."
The Centenary DVD chronicles the proud history of the CWL Sydney, of nurturing and developing women through engagement in emerging and innovative roles both in the church community and in wider society.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
2013
source: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/stagnesofmontepulciano.asp#ixzz1sa6szVds
TODAY'S SAINT : APRIL 20 : ST. AGNES OF MONTEPULCIANO
St. Agnes of Montepulciano
NUN AND FOUNDRESS
Feast: April 20
Information:
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Born in the neighbourhood of Montepulciano in Tuscany about 1268; died there 1317. At the age of nine years she entered a monastery. Four years later she was commissioned by Pope Nicholas IV to assist in the foundation of a monastery at Proceno, and became its prioress at the age of fifteen. At the entreaty of the citizens of her native town, she established (1298) the celebrated convent of Dominican nuns at Montepulciano which she governed until the time of her death. She was canonized by Benedict XIII in 1726. Her feast is celebrated on 20 April.
(Taken from Catholic Encyclopedia)
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source: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/stagnesofmontepulciano.asp#ixzz1sa6szVds
| John 6: 60 - 69 | |
| 60 | Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" |
| 61 | But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? |
| 62 | Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before? |
| 63 | It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. |
| 64 | But there are some of you that do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. |
| 65 | And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." |
| 66 | After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. |
| 67 | Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" |
| 68 | Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; |
| 69 | and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God." |
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