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Sunday, January 26, 2014

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2014


POPE FRANCIS "THE LORD WILL NEVER DISAPPOINT YOU" ANGELUS VIDEO

HOLLYWOOD ACTOR MARK WAHLBERG "“Religion helped save me..." ON CATHOLIC FAITH

POPE FRANCIS "THE LORD WILL NEVER DISAPPOINT YOU" ANGELUS VIDEO

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday appealed for constructive dialogue between Institutions and civil society in Ukraine. 

Addressing the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus Prayer, the Pope said he is praying for the people of Ukraine, in particular for those who have lost their lives during the violence of the past days, and for their families. He said he is praying the parties involved will avoid resorting to violent actions, and that the spirit of peace and the quest for common good may prevail. 

Weeks of protests in Kiev have escalated into violent clashes between police and demonstrators angry that the government didn't sign a deal to bring it closer to the European Union.

Also in words after the Angelus, Pope Francis noted that there were many children in the Square and said his thoughts go to a three-year child, burnt to death by members of the Southern Italian Calabria mafia after his grandfather failed to pay a drug debt to mobsters. This violence against such a young child – he said – seems not to have precedents in the history of criminality. “Let’s pray for Cocò” – Francis continued – “who is surely in heaven with Jesus, and for those who have committed this crime: may they repent and convert to the Lord”.

And, reflecting on the Gospel reading for the day which tells of how Jesus began his public life in Galilee – a land of borders and of transit, a peripheral region where men of different races, cultures and religions met. The Pope pointed out that Galilee is similar to the world today: the presence of diverse cultures – he said - means there is need for encounter. This kind of context – he added – can frighten us and tempt us to build walls of protection. But Jesus – he pointed out – teaches us that the Good News that he brings is for all – not just for part of humanity. 

And speaking of how Jesus chose his apostles among the simple people, the fishermen whom he called to make “fishers of men” – the Pope said “the Lord continues to walk the streets of our daily life calling us to go join Him and to work with Him for God’s Reign, in the ‘Galilee’ of our times”. “Each one you”- he said – “must realize that the Lord is watching you: if you hear Him saying ‘follow me’, you must have courage and go with Him. The Lord will never disappoint you”.


Text from Vatican Radio website 

HOLLYWOOD ACTOR MARK WAHLBERG "“Religion helped save me..." ON CATHOLIC FAITH

























Picture by Jeff Fusco. Picture below by s_bukley/Shutterstock.

CATHOLIC WEEKLY REPORT: 
By Camilla Davies
22 January, 2014AMERICAN star of the big screen Mark Wahlberg is a man who has used his faith to help forge a new path. The prolific actor grew up in Boston’s crime-ridden Dorchester neighbourhood but has risen up from the streets and created a style and brand that can only be respected.

Looking back, Wahlberg enjoyed public exposure, of sorts, as a 12-year-old, when breakdancing in the streets. One of nine children, the youngster joined his brother Donnie’s band New Kids On The Block as an original member, but ditched the act before the group achieved global recognition.

The 42-year-old, who came to fame as rapper Marky Mark, had multiple brushes with the law in his youth, and had developed an addiction to cocaine by his early teens.

Wind forward, and things are very different. A hugely successful career in film, a rapper, producer and model, Wahlberg has packed away the demons of old and boasts a growing family, with his Catholic faith acting as a pivotal force in reshaping what had threatened to become a troubled adult life. “It’s by the Grace of God I turned my life around,” he begins. “One of the most important people who helped me in life was Fr James Flavin, my parish priest in Boston, who has been in my life since I was 13. He helped set me straight and I feel the greatest respect and debt to him. He married me and my wife and baptised all my children.”

While his brother Donnie helped to get him involved in the release that was music, Wahlberg acknowledges that he predominantly drew on his faith to get to where he is today.

“Religion helped save me – there’s no doubt in my mind. I overindulged for a period back in my teens and 20s. I got caught up in living the street life, or the big life, but I realised pretty quickly that I had to quit partying and get serious about where I was going.”

Meeting his wife Rhea also played a significant role in helping to address the family values that come hand in hand with his religious attitudes.

“When I met Rhea, I felt I had to change things because I wanted it to work out between us,” he continues. “And when you’re raising children, you want to be the best father possible. You want to make sure your kids grow up with respect for you and have a good grounding. You want to be a better man; you want to live a good and healthy life. I’m proud of the life I’ve built for them. I live for them.”

Wahlberg goes to church whenever he can – daily, if his schedule allows.

“When I’m in LA, I’m usually in bed by 9pm and I’m up at 5am. I’ll work out for an hour, then help Rhea get the kids out of bed. I’ll drive them to school, then head to church for an hour. I find it very refreshing to be able to pray to be a better man and do my best for my family and friends. It’s a great way to start the day. I feel it clears my head and gives me a good feeling about whatever it is that I have to do.”

Having accomplished so much as an actor, Wahlberg has also gained a reputation as a prolific and talented producer of films, as well as TV series such as Entourage. This is a man who certainly has a sense of ambition and purpose, yet demons remain.

“I always wake up with the feeling that it’s never enough,” he admits. “I feel like I have to keep moving forward… keep working as hard as I can, or I’m going to lose it all. It’s crazy, I know, but I can’t seem to get away from that kind of compulsion.”

So as you would expect, Wahlberg sometimes has to be reminded not to take on too much.

“My wife tries to convince me to slow down and not be so hard on myself, and sometimes that advice sinks in. But then I get anxious and I’m back on the phone for five hours at a time working on a new deal, talking to producers, studios, and actors.”

Mark’s most recent role is in Lone Survivor, a film about a bloody US combat mission in Afghanistan that sees only one man, Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell, come out alive. The project enabled him to use his faith for both inspiration and motivation.

“We were all committed to bringing everything we had to this film because this story meant something personal to all of us.

“We wanted to make it as realistic as possible. Sure, we’re actors, but we felt that at least we were going to do give everything we had physically and not hold anything back in terms of the training involved or the stunt work.”

Centred on an ill-fated attempt to rescue four trapped Navy Seals in a mountainous region of Afghanistan, this high-octane war movie leaves a lasting impression. It’s clear that Wahlberg takes this sort of real-life story to heart.

“It was our small way of showing solidarity with the real soldiers who go through hell and sometimes don’t get to come back home. It’s the real face of war. I think people take for granted what soldiers do for us.

“The war has been going on for so long that we’ve almost forgotten about it, but a lot of our soldiers are still losing their lives over there, or are coming home badly wounded.

“It’s such an amazing story, not just in paying tribute to Marcus, but paying tribute as well to the Afghan villagers.

“It’s about putting a face on the Afghan people as opposed to the assumption that because we’re at war in Afghanistan that we are at war with Afghanistan. We’re not.”

Wahlberg becomes animated when describing the sense of honour and loyalty felt by the soldier he portrays in the movie. But there’s a bigger life message on offer here.

“They are willing to die for each other. They become brothers. I like to think I would die for my wife and children if I had to. We’re talking about fundamental issues of sacrifice and a sense of duty. One of the things I took away from this film is this firm belief that you never give up on your brother or the guy you’re fighting next to.”

This sense of commitment strikes a chord with Wahlberg’s personal story. While he may have changed his own narrative through faith, work and determination, he still feels he has a lot to prove.

“I’m 42, but I don’t think I’ve got it made, or accomplished half of what I think I can or would like to. I came from a working class family and I was living in the streets without a lot of hope. I was making plenty of mistakes.”

A man with a keen sense of betterment and a positive, driven, outlook, Wahlberg is not one to feel complacent, nor a sense of entitlement. This is a man who is ready to “dig ditches if he has to”, who has shaped an interesting and varied career around the ultimate aim of providing for his family. And it’s not something he takes for granted.

“I’ve been given the chance to lead a good life, in every sense of that expression. I devote myself to being a good father and husband and being able to take care of my friends and family. When does there ever come a point where you want to stop doing that?”
Shared from Catholic Weekly Australia 

http://www.catholicweekly.com.au/article.php?classID=1&subclassID=3&articleID=13180

POPE FRANCIS PEACE DOVES ATTACKED AT VATICAN

Pope Francis and some children released 2 doves signifying peace today Jan. 26, 2014. The doves were immediately attacked by a crow and a seagull. Tens of thousands were in attendance at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. Pope Francis was appealing for praying and peace in the Ukraine.




RIP BISHOP KURT KRENN OF ST. POLTEN AUSTRIA IN EUROPE

St. Pölten (kath.net / dsp) Former Bishop Kurt Krenn has died after a long illness on Saturday, 25 January 2014 to 20.17 at the age of 78. Kurt Krenn died peacefully surrounded by his family at the convent of the Servants of the Immaculate in Gerersdorf in St. Pölten, where he was cared for in recent years.Kurt Krenn was from 1987 to 1991 Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Vienna and from 1991 to 2004 Diocesan Bishop of St. Pölten. particular concern were for Bishop Krenn the young and the formation of priests. Therefore, his attention was especially the Theological College and Seminary. "It is tragic that even the latter became the great dispute and eventually had to be regarded as a failure," says Bishop Klaus KĂĽng said in a statement to the death of his predecessor. "That was definitely the worst disappointment of Bishop Krenn."

KĂĽng: "Concern for the Church has determined his life" "Looking back on every life there is light and shadow," said Bishop KĂĽng, "and sometimes it comes at a controversial people on the own standpoint to decide where the light ends and the shadow begins. Bishop Kurt may have had weaknesses, his appearances and utterances must have irritated some people, yes annoyed and offended. We also not forget that the concern have around the Church and her mission determines his life. In this respect, it can be a role model for each and every one of us. " Kurt Krenn was born on 28June was born in 1936 in Rannariedl (Upper Austria), the second of six children of the teacher Karl Krenn, who died in the war family. He graduated in Oberkappel and high school in Schlierbach The elementary school. In 1954 he entered the seminary Linz and studied theology first at the Philosophical-Theological educational institution Linz, then philosophy and theology at the Gregorian University and Canon Law at the Lateran University in Rome. On 7 October 1962, he was ordained in the Church of St. Ignatius in Rome as a priest. This was followed by studies in TĂĽbingen and Munich, where he was from 1966 - 1970 worked as an assistant at the Faculty of Theology. 1970 - 1975 he was a professor of philosophy at the Philosophical-Theological College in Linz and 3 semester lecturer at the Theological College of St. Pölten, 1975, he was a full professor at the Department of "Systematic Theology" at the Faculty of the University Catholic Theological Regensburg appointed. 'As a professor, he was adored by quite a few, "recalls Bishop KĂĽng. "His manner of performance was distinguished by clarity and depth with the special ability to show the big picture as well as the references to the current problems. He had a very good memory and a brilliant formulation gift, was not very good with people, even with ordinary people in conversation. A large Diskutierfreudigkeit has always distinguished him. "Krenn has gladly done in his Regensburg time pastoral temporary workers in his home town, was also prepared for the celebration of religious services for special concern such as the protection of life. When Kurt Krenn on 3 March was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Vienna in 1987, he learned from the beginning strong resistance, in which he did not shrink from the confrontation. Entrusted with the fields of art, culture and science, he could bring his concerns in lectures, sermons and interviews well discussed. "For him it was all about the mission of the Church as herald of truth for the people of all times, even our time," says Bishop KĂĽng. "Especially engaged, he defended the right to protection of life of every human being from the moment of conception to natural death, trying to use every opportunity to study the role of the family in the development of society and the importance rooted in human nature itself and established human explain sexuality and to identify the correct understanding of conscience, especially in its relation to God's commandments. The discussions which he had caused, however, often violently. "Bishop Krenn's work as diocesan bishop of St. Pölten was then - probably just because of the previous discussions - "very difficult," says KĂĽng. "It succeeded Bishop Krenn not to defuse the resulting polarization with time. These have even unfortunately reinforced over the years, a number of factors played a role. That is why it is still not easy, its person to be his efforts and his efforts justice. Those who knew him well know that he has not suffered from the situation a little, you should also not overlook the fact that under the stresses encountered many others suffered. "
GOOGLE translation from Kath Net

LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR WIN OVER OBAMA CARE HHS - ARCHBISHOP KURZ WELCOMES VERDICT

USCCB RELEASE: Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) welcomed the move by the U.S. Supreme Court, January 24, to extend an injunction granted by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, December 31, exempting the Little Sisters of the Poor and others in their lawsuit from the Department of Health and Human Services' contraception mandate while their appeal is pending. "The bishops of the United States welcome the Court's protection of ministries like the Little Sisters whose vital work is at the heart of what it means to be Catholic," said Archbishop Kurtz. The injunction from the Court states that if the parties before it write to the Secretary of Health and Human Services that they are non-profit organizations, that they are religious in nature, and that they object to providing the coverage required by the HHS mandate, those employers will be protected until a decision is made by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, which is currently reviewing the case. (IMAGE SOURCE - Little Sisters of the Poor Website)

FIRE IN QUEBEC SENIOR'S HOME KILLS 10 AND LEAVES 22 MISSING - PRESUMED DEAD

On Thursday a Quebec seniors home caught fire in L'Isle-Verte, eastern Quebec. The fire started in resident's room. Ten people have died and 22 people are still considered missing. ''I think we can assume the worst.' said police Lt. Guy Lapointe on those still considered missing. The coroners office released the names of two victims: Juliette Saindon, 95, and Marie-LaurĂ©at DubĂ©, 82. The cause of the deadly blaze has not been officially determined, but police sources that the fire originated in one of the residents' rooms.  A town in mourning in a  small community of fewer than 1,500.
USCCB RELEASE:
The Most Reverend Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), has written to the Most Reverend Pierre-André Fournier, Archbishop of Rimouski, following the tragic fire in L'Isle-Verte, Quebec. The village is in the Archdiocese of Rimouski. In his letter, Archbishop Durocher conveys the profound sympathies and condolences of all the Bishops and Catholic faithful of Canada. Reverend Pierre-André Fournier
I am deeply affected by the sad news of the terrible fire in L'Isle-Verte Wednesay night that devastated the RĂ©sidence du Havre. The thought of so many elderly people dying is a disaster that fills me with great sadness. I know I speak in the name of all the Bishops of Canada, and all the faithful of our dioceses, in conveying to you and your faithful our profound sympathy and sincerest condolences.
This tragic fire recalls the awful explosion which struck the town of Lac-MĂ©gantic only months ago. Once again, we are faced with the incomprehensible: the loss of so many lives, our precarious fragility, the shock of the unforeseen completely upending daily life. Once more, we witness as well the heroic efforts of emergency workers, human solidarity, and the deep desire to help.
In such a dreadful moment, our Christian faith invites us to turn toward the God of Life, into whose hands we entrust the dead, the wounded, the bereaved and the suffering. Let us make our own the trusting prayer of the Psalmist: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me .... I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long."
+ Paul-André Durocher
Archbishop of Gatineau and
President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

POPE FRANCIS ENCOURAGES ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis earlier today met with participants at a national conference sponsored by the Italian Women’s Centre, which is due to celebrate the 70th anniversary of its foundation in October of this year. The Italian Women’s Centre (Centro Italiano Femminile, or CIF) was set up in 1944 as a federation of Catholic women’s associations. It was established in response to the need for guidance on civic and social issues which arose at the end of the Second World War, when Italy introduced universal suffrage and millions of women were called to vote for the first time ever.

Pope Francis opened his address by giving thanks for the organisation’s work over the past 70 years and for its value as witness to the changing role of women within Catholic communities and Italian society as a whole. In recent decades, the Pope said, within the context of other cultural and societal developments, the role of women has been greatly transformed, their participation and responsibilities have increased. It is with great joy, he added, that I see many women sharing pastoral responsibilities with priests, both in theological reflection and by supporting individuals, families and communities, and I hope the space for women to contribute incisively to the life of our Church may continue to increase.

If the contribution of women to the public or professional sphere is important, Pope Francis went on, their contribution to family life is even more vital. But at this point, he said, the question arises naturally – how is it possible for any woman to develop an incisive presence in the many areas of public and professional life where important decisions are made, and at the same time to maintain a special presence within the family? This, the Pope said, is the field of discernment, which requires assiduousness and perseverance in prayer, as well as reflection on the reality of women within society.

It is in dialogue with God, Pope Francis concluded, that Christian women must answer his call – a dialogue which is always supported by Mary. May she – who cherished her divine son, who propitiated his first miracle at the wedding in Cana, who was present on Calvary and at Pentecost – show you the path to understanding the role of women within society.



Text from Vatican Radio website 


SUNDAY MASS ONLINE : JAN. 26, 2014 - 3RD IN ORD. TIME

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 67


Reading 1         IS 8:23-9:3

First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulun
and the land of Naphtali;
but in the end he has glorified the seaward road,
the land west of the Jordan,
the District of the Gentiles.

Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness:
for there is no gloom where but now there was distress.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

Responsorial Psalm        PS 27:1, 4, 13-14

R/ (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R/ The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R/ The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R/ The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Reading 2               1 COR 1:10-13, 17

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that all of you agree in what you say,
and that there be no divisions among you,
but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.
For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters,
by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you.
I mean that each of you is saying,
“I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”
or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”
Is Christ divided?
Was Paul crucified for you?
Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel,
and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,
so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

Gospel   MT 4:12-23

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,
he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,
in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet
might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.
He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people.

Or         MT 4:12-17

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,
he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,
in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet
might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

2014


TODAY'S SAINT : JAN. 26 : ST. TIMOTHY


St. Timothy
FIRST BISHOP OF EPHESUS, MISSIONARY, COMPANION OF ST. PAUL, MARTYR
Feast: January 26


Information:
Feast Day:January 26
Born:
17
Died:80, Ephesus
Patron of:intestinal disorders, stomach diseases
A native of Lystra, he was the son of a Jewish woman named Eunice and a Greek Gentile. Converted to the faith by St. Paul, Timothy willingly received circumcision in order to assuage the Jews to whom he and Paul would be preaching, especially as it was known that his father was a Gentile. Paul found Timothy a very valuable assistant and companion, using him on several missions, such as those to the Corinthians (1 Cor 4:17) and the Thessalonians (1 Thes 3:2-3). According to tradition, he was the first bishop of Ephesus, the basis for this being his journey to the city at the command of Paul to act as his representative (1 Tm 1:3). He is mentioned with St. Paul in the salutations of seven epistles in the New Testament and was teh addressee of two of three pastoral letters - 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. His martyrdom on January 22, 97 by a mob of angry pagans came about through his opposition to the celebration of the feast of Diana; it was recorded in the fourth-century Acta S. Timothei.

(Taken from Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints)


SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/T/sttimothy.asp#ixzz1kZaMtKtn