2014
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis prayed the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, the second Sunday of Lent. Speaking ahead of the traditional prayer of Marian devotion, the Holy Father focused on the Gospel reading of the day, which tells the story of the Transfiguration.
Three were the principal elements that Pope Francis identified in his reflection: the importance of listening, of being attuned and attentive to the Word of God; and the twofold movement of ascent and descent that characterizes the Gospel episode (Mt. 17:1-9), in which the Lord takes Peter, James and John to the top of Mt Tabor, reveals Himself in His glorified form, and returns down the mountain with them, with grave warnings to the disciples who accompanied Him not to speak of what they had seen.
“The mountain is the site of the encounter intimate closeness with God - the place of prayer, in which to stand in the presence of the Lord,” said Pope Francis. “We, the disciples of Jesus,” he continued, “are called to be people who listen to His voice and take seriously his words.” He added, “To listen to Jesus , we must follow Him.”
The Holy Father went on to say, “We need to go to [a place of] remove, to climb the mountain [and go to] a place of silence, to find ourselves and better perceive the voice of the Lord.” We cannot stay there, however. “The encounter with God in prayer again pushes us to ‘come down from the mountain’ and back down into the plain,” he said, “where we meet many brothers and sisters weighed down by fatigue, injustice, and both material and spiritual poverty.” Pope Francis said that we are called to carry the fruits of the experience we have with God to our troubled brothers and sisters, sharing with them the treasures of grace received.
He concluded with an invitation: returning to the theme of attunement and attentiveness to God’s word, the Holy Father asked all the faithful to begin keeping a little book of the gospels with them and to read short passages from it throughout the day. “Don’t forget,” he said, “this week, listen to Jesus – and then, next week, you’ll tell me whether you’ve kept that little edition of the Gospels with you, in your pocket or your bag, in order to read a little bit every day.”
Text from Vatican Radio website
Three were the principal elements that Pope Francis identified in his reflection: the importance of listening, of being attuned and attentive to the Word of God; and the twofold movement of ascent and descent that characterizes the Gospel episode (Mt. 17:1-9), in which the Lord takes Peter, James and John to the top of Mt Tabor, reveals Himself in His glorified form, and returns down the mountain with them, with grave warnings to the disciples who accompanied Him not to speak of what they had seen.
“The mountain is the site of the encounter intimate closeness with God - the place of prayer, in which to stand in the presence of the Lord,” said Pope Francis. “We, the disciples of Jesus,” he continued, “are called to be people who listen to His voice and take seriously his words.” He added, “To listen to Jesus , we must follow Him.”
The Holy Father went on to say, “We need to go to [a place of] remove, to climb the mountain [and go to] a place of silence, to find ourselves and better perceive the voice of the Lord.” We cannot stay there, however. “The encounter with God in prayer again pushes us to ‘come down from the mountain’ and back down into the plain,” he said, “where we meet many brothers and sisters weighed down by fatigue, injustice, and both material and spiritual poverty.” Pope Francis said that we are called to carry the fruits of the experience we have with God to our troubled brothers and sisters, sharing with them the treasures of grace received.
He concluded with an invitation: returning to the theme of attunement and attentiveness to God’s word, the Holy Father asked all the faithful to begin keeping a little book of the gospels with them and to read short passages from it throughout the day. “Don’t forget,” he said, “this week, listen to Jesus – and then, next week, you’ll tell me whether you’ve kept that little edition of the Gospels with you, in your pocket or your bag, in order to read a little bit every day.”
Text from Vatican Radio website
Priest jailed in England for anti-war protests - Pray for Fr. Martin Newell
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IND. CATH. NEWS REPORT: Catholic Priest Fr Martin Newell, was today sentenced to 28 days in prison for non-payment of fines arising from numerous nonviolent peace protests against war and war preparations.
Appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court this morning (15 March) Fr Martin told the court that for “for reasons of faith and conscience” he would not pay fines of £565 that had been imposed following protests against the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the UK’s use of armed drones and Trident nuclear weapons system.
Fr Newell said: “Jesus taught us to love not just our neighbours but also our enemies. He showed us by his life and example how to resist evil not with violence but with loving, persistent, firm, active non-violence. It was this revolutionary patience on behalf of the poor and oppressed that, humanly speaking, led to him being arrested, tried, tortured and executed by the powers that be. The acts of witness that resulted in the fines I have refused to pay were a form of conscientious objection. Refusing to pay them is a continuation of that objection. It is a privilege to be able to follow on the path that led Jesus to the way of the cross and resurrection.”
Fr Newell, 46, is a member of the Passionist Order. He currently works with homeless refugees at the London Catholic Worker, and is planning to move soon to start a new project in Birmingham. He was born in Walthamstow, London.
Letters/cards and messages of support can be sent: Martin Newell, HMP Wandsworth, PO Box 757, Heathfield Road, London, SW18 3HS
POPE FRANCIS celebrates Sunday Mass for 2nd of Lent in Our Lady of the Oration
Vatican Radio report: Pope Francis began a visit to a provincial parish dedicated to Our Lady of Oration on Sunday, at 4PM Rome Time. Santa Maria dell’Orazione is in the Setteville neighbourhood east of Rome, outside the city and about a third of the way to Tivoli. Founded juridically in 1989, the parish church was dedicated and inaugurated in 2002.
The schedule of the visit included: greetings with the faithful gathered in the square before the church; a visit with the sick and disabled persons of the parish; a meeting with children making their first communion and young people making their confirmation; an encounter with the communities of the Neocatechumenal Way that are present in the parish; another with families that have baptized children in the past year; confessions, Mass and a brief exchange with the family members of the priests serving the parish.
The pastor at Santa Maria dell’Orazione, don Francesco Bagalà, told Vatican Radio more about the territory and the people of his parish. “This is a parish in the outskirts of Rome and also of Guidonia. Here, there is lack of social services and also of schools, services, squares ... The population is young: the typical day of someone who has moved here from Rome in the suburbs begins at about six to go to work and ends at eight in the evening.”
Don Bagalà also spoke of his – and his parishoners’ – excitement at the visit. “[We expect] the joy of hearing the kerygma: the proclamation that Jesus Christ gave his life for us, that He has forgiven our sins,” he said. “God is mercy, God is love,” explained don Bagalà. “[M]an today needs to return to God with confidence,” he explained, adding, “[people need] to rediscover their Baptism, the call to be holy, without blemish.”
At noon on Sunday, a few hours before beginning his visit to the parish of Santa Maria dell’Orazione, Pope Francis prayed the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square. Speaking ahead of the traditional prayer of Marian devotion, the Holy Father focused on the Gospel reading of the day, which tells the story of the Transfiguration.
Three were the principal elements that Pope Francis identified in his reflection: the importance of listening, of being attuned and attentive to the Word of God; and the twofold movement of ascent and descent that characterizes the Gospel episode (Mt. 17:1-9), in which the Lord takes Peter, James and John to the top of Mt Tabor, reveals Himself in His glorified form, and returns down the mountain with them, with grave warnings to the disciples who accompanied Him not to speak of what they had seen.
“The mountain is the site of the encounter intimate closeness with God and with Him - the place of prayer, in which to stand in the presence of the Lord,” said Pope Francis. “We, the disciples of Jesus,” he continued, “are called to be people who listen to His voice and take seriously his words.” He added, “To listen to Jesus , we must follow Him.”
The Holy Father went on to say, “We need to go to [a place of] remove, to climb the mountain [and go to] a place of silence, to find ourselves and better perceive the voice of the Lord.” We cannot stay there, however. “The encounter with God in prayer again pushes us to ‘come down from the mountain’ and back down into the plain,” he said, “where we meet many brothers and sisters weighed down by fatigue, injustice, and both material and spiritual poverty.” Pope Francis said that we are called to carry the fruits of the experience we have with God to our troubled brothers and sisters, sharing with them the treasures of grace received.
Text from Vatican Radio website
New Book: Adoption Movement : Saving Souls by Esmeralda Kiczek
Adoption Movement Release: I felt a call to pray for the conversion of sinners. While in church at a Sunday Mass, I looked up to see the painting of Our Lady and to my surprise, I heard Our Lady say in my heart that she wanted me to pray for sinners, but to pray for them as if they were part of my own family, my own brothers and sisters. There was a man at my parish that would drive his wife to daily Mass everyday and wait in his car for her. On Sundays he would go to Mass but he would not receive Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. It would break my heart every time I saw him because he was so close and yet so far. This man reminded me of my earthly father whom I loved so much. I saw him every Sunday since we went to the same mass. I felt called to adopt him as my first spiritually adopted father. I asked Our Lady if she would take me as her servant. I wanted to serve Jesus with all my heart through her, and I asked her for a sign that she would accept my poor insignificant offering. The sign was that I would see this poor man, my first spiritually adopted father receive Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Day after day I prayed for my adopted father especially during the Consecration at Mass. I prayed with all my heart to the point that my heart would hurt. Since I did not know his name I wrote a description on a piece of paper which I put under a statue of Our Lady and his name for me was ‘My adopted father.” The more I prayed for him the greater the desire to help him to save his soul. I offered my communions for his conversion, I added him to my daily prayers, I asked my family to pray for him, etc. My love for my adopted father grew more and more each day. After praying for him for a while I started to really see him like my real earthly father. After six months, Our Lady, The Virgin Mary gave me the most beautiful surprise, it was Christmas Day 2004, She had finally accepted my poor offering. I saw her statue smile at me; my adopted father went up and received Our Lord’s Body and Blood. I was unable to hold my tears. The happiness in my heart was inexplicable. I felt such a great joy. I have never been so happy in my entire life. I knew at that moment that I had found my vocation, to work for the salvation of my brothers and sisters.
Hear the call of Our Lord Jesus Christ when He says, “You have not chosen Me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in My Name, He may give it you” -John 15:16.
Let us bring forth fruit that shall remain forever, Souls!
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To all the readers of this book, who I solemnly promised to adopt as my spiritual brothers and sisters. I promise you to pray for the salvation of your soul and that of your dear families for the rest of my life and into eternity.
Your sister in Christ,
Esmeralda Kiczek
Hear the call of Our Lord Jesus Christ when He says, “You have not chosen Me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in My Name, He may give it you” -John 15:16.
Let us bring forth fruit that shall remain forever, Souls!
Special Offer for the Kindle Edition of the Adoption Movement:Saving Souls. Only $4.99
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Paperback Copy is $8.99
http://www.amazon.com/The-Adoption-Movement-Saving-Souls/dp/1936453029/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
To all the readers of this book, who I solemnly promised to adopt as my spiritual brothers and sisters. I promise you to pray for the salvation of your soul and that of your dear families for the rest of my life and into eternity.
Your sister in Christ,
Esmeralda Kiczek
SUNDAY MASS ONLINE : MARCH 16, 2014 - 2ND LENT YEAR A
Second Sunday of Lent
Lectionary: 25
Reading 1 GN 12:1-4A
The LORD said to Abram:
“Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk
and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.
“I will make of you a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you
and curse those who curse you.
All the communities of the earth
shall find blessing in you.”
Abram went as the LORD directed him.
“Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk
and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.
“I will make of you a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you
and curse those who curse you.
All the communities of the earth
shall find blessing in you.”
Abram went as the LORD directed him.
Responsorial Psalm PS 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
R/ (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R/ Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R/ Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R/ Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R/ Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R/ Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R/ Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Reading 2 2 TIM 1:8B-10
Beloved:
Bear your share of hardship for the gospel
with the strength that comes from God.
He saved us and called us to a holy life,
not according to our works
but according to his own design
and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began,
but now made manifest
through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus,
who destroyed death and brought life and immortality
to light through the gospel.
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
“Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Bear your share of hardship for the gospel
with the strength that comes from God.
He saved us and called us to a holy life,
not according to our works
but according to his own design
and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began,
but now made manifest
through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus,
who destroyed death and brought life and immortality
to light through the gospel.
Gospel MT 17:1-9
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother,and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
“Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
TODAY'S SAINT : MARCH 16 : ST. HERIBERT OF COLOGNE
St. Heribert of Cologne
ARCHBISHOP OF COLOGNE, CHANCELLOR OF EMPEROR OTTO III
Feast: March 16
Information:
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Archbishop of Cologne; born at Worms, c. 970; died at Cologne, 16 March, 1021. His father was Duke Hugo of Worms. After receiving his education at the cathedral school of Worms, he spent some time as guest at the monastery of Gorze, after which he became provost at the cathedral of Worms. In 994 he was ordained priest; in the same year King Otto III appointed him chancellor for Italy and four years later also for Germany, a position which he held until the death of Otto III on 23 January, 1002. As chancellor he was the most influential adviser of Otto III, whom he accompanied to Rome in 906 and again in 997. He was still in Italy when, in 999, he was elected Archbishop of Cologne. At Benevento he received ecclesiastical investiture and the pallium from Pope Sylvester II on 9 July, 999, and on the following Christmas Day he was consecrated at Cologne. In 1002 he was present at the death-bed of the youthful emperor at Paterno. While returning to Germany with the emperor's remains and the imperial insignia, he was held captive for some time by the future King Henry II, whose candidacy he first opposed. As soon as Henry II was elected king, on 7 June, 1002, Heribert acknowledged him as such, accompanied him to Rome in 1004, mediated between him and the House of Luxemburg, and served him faithfully in many other ways; but he never won his entire confidence until the year 1021, when the king saw his mistake and humbly begged pardon on the archbishop. Heribert founded and richly endowed the Benedictine monastery and church of Deutz, where he lies buried. He was already honoured as a saint during his lifetime. Between 1073 and 1075 he was canonized by Pope Gregory VII. His feast is celebrated on 16 March.
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source: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/H/stheribertofcologne.asp#ixzz1pHY181xH
2014
TOUCHING VIDEO SHOWS ABOUT A FATHER'S LOVE - OVER 1 MILLION VIEWS
This beautiful viral video has received over 1 million views. It is worth watching and will touch you heart. A son confronts the resentment towards his father only to realise his true intentions. Giving is more important than money...
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