2014
Wow Pope Francis Train seat to fund home for Single Mothers in Korea
Pope Francis traveled to South Korea in August and during his stay he was supposed to take a helicopter but decided instead to take the train from Seoul to Daejeon. His famous seat now has a plate indicating the where he sat. This seat has become so popular in South Korea that a part of the ticket price paid to use the seat now goes to the local diocese. So far it has geneerated US$ 13,500, and the bishop has given to young mothers in need.
The Bishop, Mgr Lazzaro You Heung-sik, of Daejeon, explained the decision by the Korea Railroad Corporation (aka Korail), South Korea's railway company.
From August to December, Korail collected some 15 million won, about US$ 13,500.
The company, has indicated that a donation will be made annually, The bishop said, "It is wonderful that the seeds planted by Pope Francis in his trip to Korea will continue to bear fruit."
The Bishop, Mgr Lazzaro You Heung-sik, of Daejeon, explained the decision by the Korea Railroad Corporation (aka Korail), South Korea's railway company.
From August to December, Korail collected some 15 million won, about US$ 13,500.
The company, has indicated that a donation will be made annually, The bishop said, "It is wonderful that the seeds planted by Pope Francis in his trip to Korea will continue to bear fruit."
RIP Father Gregorio Lopez Gorrostieto - Priest killed in Mexico - Pope Francis offers condolences
(Vatican Radio) The Catholic Church in Mexico has condemned the murder of a priest, who was abducted by organized crime, after he preached a sermon criticizing it. Father Gregorio Lopez Gorrostieto dedicated what was to be his final sermon last Sunday to the 43 missing student teachers, who were handed over to gangsters by Municipal Police, following a protest rally on September 16th in the Southern City of Iguala. Father Gregorio, who was from the City of Altamirano in the State of Guerrero, criticized organized crime.
Listen to the report by correspondent James Blears:
That evening witnesses saw him being forced into a truck by armed men. His body was found near that city. He'd been strangled and shot.
Father Gregorio is the third priest to be murdered in Guerrero this year. The remains of a Ugandian Priest were found in a mass grave last month.
The student teachers went missing on September 16th after being handed over to gangsters, following a protest rally in the City of Iguala. So far only one set of remains have been identified. The Mayor and scores of Municipal Police have been arrested.
Pope Francis calls murder of Mexican priest "unjustifiable violence"
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has expressed his “deep sadness” about the murder of Mexican priest, Father Gregorio López Gorostieta, who was murdered after preaching a sermon against organized crime, an act the Pope calld “unjustifiable violence”.
In a telegram sent on the Holy Father’s behalf to Bishop Maximino Martinez Miranda, The Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin conveyed the Pope’s condolences to the entire ecclesial community of the Diocese of Altamirano.
The telegram expressed the Pope’s “firm condemnation” of all such violence, and added the Holy Father urges all priests, and other missionaries, to continue in their mission despite the difficulties encountered, following the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Breaking News AirAsia Crashed at sea - many bodies found - Please Pray
AsiaNews report:AirAsia QZ8501, recovery of bodies difficult. Families: We want to say farewellIndonesian authorities confirm they have identified the remains of the plane. Weather conditions hamper search operations. Six bodies recovered so far. The images spark desperation and fainting. A family member: "I continue to hope in a miracle."
Jakarta (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Queries of the last days on the fate of the AirAsia airplane received an answer last night, when the first bodies - along with some parts of the aircraft - were recovered by search teams in the Java Sea. Authorities have officially confirmed that they pertain to Flight QZ8501. Hope, still nurtured by family members of the passengers, turned to weeping and despair. At the sight of the images of dead bodies broadcast on Indonesian television, two people collapsed and fainted. "My heart will break if what I saw is true", 60-year-old Dwijanto, whose son was on the plane, said. "We just want to say farewell" one woman added.
For the moment, six bodies have been recovered. One is of a woman, wearing the uniform of the airline crew. Indonesian authorities explain that the ongoing storm, strong winds and waves that are 3 meters high, render recovery operations difficult. Moreover, with the passing of hours, it may become impossible to identify the bodies once they are recovered.
On board the flight there were 137 adult passengers, 17 children and a baby, along with two pilots and five crew members.
Tony Fernandes, President of AirAsia, rushed to Surabaya Airport where family members of the passengers on board are gathered, waiting for news. "Words can't express what these people are going through", he said.
When the television showed the first body floating on the water, relatives of the victims broke down in tears and embraced each other. Some demanded the intervention of ambulances. A man covered his face with his hands, fainted and was taken away on a stretcher. A woman started screaming. The Mayor of Surabaya, who was present in the room with the families, tried to comfort them. "You must be strong - he said - they are no longer ours. Now they belong to God".
50-year-od Munif's younger brother, Siti Rahmah was on board the flight. "I'm trying to calm my family - he says - but it is difficult. The atmosphere has changed since they showed bodies floating. People have become hysterical".
54-year-old Ifan Joko, says he is still hoping in a miracle. His brother, Charlie Gunawan, together with his wife, three sons, and two other family members were on the plane. They were on their way to Singapore to celebrate the New Year. "I know that the plane crashed - he says through tears - but I can't believe that my brother and his family are dead. We are praying that they are still alive".
Shared from AsiaNewsIT
Today's Mass Readings : Wednesday December 31, 2014
The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
Lectionary: 204
Reading 11 JN 2:18-21
Children, it is the last hour;
and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,
so now many antichrists have appeared.
Thus we know this is the last hour.
They went out from us, but they were not really of our number;
if they had been, they would have remained with us.
Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number.
But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One,
and you all have knowledge.
I write to you not because you do not know the truth
but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth.
and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,
so now many antichrists have appeared.
Thus we know this is the last hour.
They went out from us, but they were not really of our number;
if they had been, they would have remained with us.
Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number.
But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One,
and you all have knowledge.
I write to you not because you do not know the truth
but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth.
Responsorial Psalm PS 96:1-2, 11-12, 13
R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name;
announce his salvation, day after day.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult before the LORD.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
The LORD comes,
he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him
he gave power to become the children of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name;
announce his salvation, day after day.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult before the LORD.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
The LORD comes,
he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Alleluia JN 1:14A, 12A
R. Alleluia, alleluia.The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him
he gave power to become the children of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel JN 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son,
full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying,
“This was he of whom I said,
‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him.
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son,
full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying,
“This was he of whom I said,
‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him.
Gain a Plenary Indulgences on New Year's Eve
The Enchiridion Indulgentiarum 26 indicates that we can gain plenary indulgences on the 31 December. (Video Below)
A plenary indulgence is granted to the Christian faithful who, recite or sing the Te Deum
Under the usual conditions, a plenary indulgence can be gained:
1. Sacramental confession within eight days
2. A prescribed good work (for Dec. 31 the recital of the Te Deum)
3. Sacramental Holy Communion within eight days.
4. Prayers for the intentions of the Roman Pope (usually 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be)
5. Detestation of venial sin
TE DEUM PRAYER in Latin and English
| Te Deum laudamus: te Dominum confitemur. | O God, we praise Thee: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord. |
| Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra veneratur. | Everlasting Father, all the earth doth worship Thee. |
| Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi Caeli et universae Potestates; | To Thee all the Angels, the Heavens and all the Powers, |
| Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim incessabili voce proclamant: | all the Cherubim and Seraphim, unceasingly proclaim: |
| Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. | Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts! |
| Pleni sunt caeli et terra maiestatis gloriae tuae. | Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy glory. |
| Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus, | The glorious choir of the Apostles, |
| Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus, | the wonderful company of Prophets, |
| Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus. | the white-robed army of Martyrs, praise Thee. |
| Te per orbem terrarum sancta confitetur Ecclesia, | Holy Church throughout the world doth acknowledge Thee: |
| Patrem immensae maiestatis: | the Father of infinite Majesty; |
| Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium; | Thy adorable, true and only Son; |
| Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum. | and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. |
| Tu Rex gloriae, Christe. | O Christ, Thou art the King of glory! |
| Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius. | Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. |
| Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem, non horruisti Virginis uterum. | Thou, having taken it upon Thyself to deliver man, didst not disdain the Virgin's womb. |
| Tu, devicto mortis aculeo, aperuisti credentibus regna caelorum. | Thou overcame the sting of death and hast opened to believers the Kingdom of Heaven. |
| Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Patris. | Thou sitest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father. |
| Iudex crederis esse venturus. | We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge. |
| Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni: quos pretioso sanguine redemisti. | We beseech Thee, therefore, to help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood. |
| Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria numerari. | Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in everlasting glory. |
| V. Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine, et benedic hereditati tuae. | V. Save Thy people, O Lord, and bless Thine inheritance! |
| R. Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque in aeternum. | R. Govern them, and raise them up forever. |
| V. Per singulos dies benedicimus te. | V. Every day we thank Thee. |
| R. Et laudamus nomen tuum in saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi. | R. And we praise Thy Name forever, yea, forever and ever. |
| V. Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire. | V. O Lord, deign to keep us from sin this day. |
| R. Miserere nostri, Domine, miserere nostri. | R. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us. |
| V. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te. | V. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, for we have hoped in Thee. |
| R. In te, Domine, speravi: non confundar in aeternum. | R. O Lord, in Thee I have hoped; let me never be put to shame. |
Free New Year's Recipe by Maria Von Trapp of the Sound of Music
Sylvester Punch
NEW YEAR'S EVE PUNCH BY MARIA VON TRAPP
Sylvester Punch
(In Austria the last day of the year is dedicated to the Holy Pope, St. Sylvester, who baptized Constantine the Great, thereby bringing about the dawning not only of the New Year but of a new era; for this reason, the night before the New Year is called "Sylvesterabend" (Eve of St. Sylvester).Ingredients:
Red burgundy (count one bottle for six people)
Equal amount of hot tea
12 cloves
rind of 1 lemon
2 tbsp. sugar to each bottle of wine
2 cinnamon sticks to each bottle of wine
Pour the liquid into an enamel pot, add the cloves, the thinly pared rind
of 1 lemon, the sugar, and the cinnamon. Heat over a low flame but do not
allow to boil. At the last moment add the tea. Serve hot.
If there are many children and very young people, it is good to know
different fruit punch combinations. Here is a basic recipe, with
variations:
1/2 cup lemon juice grated rind of 1 lemon
1 cup orange juice 1 qt. water
grated rind of 1/2 orange 1 cup sugar
Cook sugar and water for five minutes. Cool. Add juices and the grated
rind and any of the following combinations:
(1) 1 cup grated pineapple, 1 qt. ginger ale.
(2) 1 qt. strained, sweetened strawberry juice, 1 qt. raspberry juice, 2
qts. ginger ale.
(3) 1 glass currant jelly dissolved in 1 cup hot water. Cook, chill, and
add 1/4 cup mint, finely minced.
(4) 1 qt. cider, 1 qt. grape juice, 1 qt. soda water.
It is great fun to try out new variations every year. One starts with
lemonade or orangeade and soon the children will go on to pineapple-ade,
raspberry-ade....In our family we have something called "Hedwig-ade"
because it is Hedwig's own secret.
Source: Maria Augusta Trapp
Music Arranged by Franz Wasner Illustrations by Rosemary Trapp and Nikolaus E. Wolff LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOG CARD NO. M[55]-1016 Harcourt, Brace & Co., New York.
Saint December 31 : St. Sylvester : Pope
 Information:
| St Sylvester, whom God appointed to govern his holy church in the first years of her temporal prosperity and triumph over her persecuting enemies, was a native of Rome and son to Rufinus and Justa. According to the general rule with those who are saints from their cradle, he received early and in his infancy the strongest sentiments of Christian piety from the example, instructions, and care of a virtuous mother, who for his education in the sound maxims and practice of religion, and in sacred literature, put him young into the hands of Charitius, or Carinus, a priest of an unexceptionable character and great abilities. Being formed under an excellent master, he entered among the clergy of Rome and was ordained priest by Pope Marcellinus, before the peace of the church was disturbed by Diocletian and his associate in the empire. His behaviour in those turbulent and dangerous times recommended him to the public esteem, and he saw the triumph of the cross by the victory which Constantine gained over Maxentius within sight of the city of Rome, on the 28th of October 312. Pope Melchiades dying in January 314, St. Sylvester was exalted to the pontificate, and the same year commissioned four legates, two priests, and two deacons to represent him at the great council of the Western church, held at Arles in August, in which the schism of the Donatists, which had then subsisted seven years, and the heresy of the Quartodecimans were condemned, and many important points of discipline regulated in twenty-two canons. These decisions were sent by the council before it broke up, with an honourable letter, to Pope Sylvester, and were confirmed by him and published to the whole church. The general council of Nice was assembled against Arianism in 325. Socrates, Sozomen, and Theodoret say that Pope Sylvester was not able to come to it in person on account of his great age, but that he sent his legates. Gelasius of Cyzicus mentions that in it "Osius held the place of the Bishop of Rome, together with the Roman priests Vito and Vincentius." These three are named the first in subscriptions of the bishops in the editions of the acts of that council and in Socrates, who expressly places them before Alexander, patriarch of Alexandria, and Eustathius, patriarch of Antioch. St. Sylvester greatly advanced religion by a punctual discharge of all the duties of his exalted station during the space of twenty-one years and eleven months; and died on the 31st of December 335. He was buried in the cemetery of Priscilla. Pope Sergius II translated his body and deposited it under the altar in a church dedicated to God in his memory. Mention is made of an altar consecrated to God in his honour at Verona, about the year 500; and his name occurs in the ancient Martyrology called St. Jerome's, published by Florentinius, and in those of Bede, Ado, Usuard, &c. Pope Gregory IX, in 1227, made his festival general in the Latin church; the Greeks keep it on the 10th January. After a prodigious effusion of Christian blood almost all the world over, during the space of three hundred years, the persecuting kingdoms at length laid down their arms and submitted to the faith and worship of God crucified for us. This ought to be to us a subject of thanksgiving. But do our lives express this faith? Does it triumph in our hearts? It is one of its first precepts that in all our actions we make God our beginning and end, and have only his divine honour and his holy law in view. We ought, therefore, so to live that the days, hours, and moments of the year may form a crown made up of good works, which we may offer to God. Our forgetfulness of him who is our last end, in almost all that we -do, calls for a sacrifice of compunction at the close of the year; but this cannot be perfect or acceptable to God unless we sincerely devote our whole hearts and lives to his holy love for the time to come. Let us therefore examine into the sources of former omissions, failures, and transgressions, and take effectual measures for our amendment and for the perfect regulation of all our affections and actions for the future, or that part of our life which may remain. |
SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/S/stsylvester.asp#ixzz1iF2KhU00
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