2015
Wow Religious Sisters form Pop-Music group with New Video - SHARE - Amazing!
#PopeFrancis calls for “...Abolition of War” while speaking to #Military #Chaplains
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday urged the “abolition of war” while meeting participants in a training course for military chaplains jointly organized by the Congregation for Bishops, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
The course explored some of the current challenges of international humanitarian law regarding the protection of human dignity during internal armed conflicts and the so-called “new conflicts.”
Pope Francis told the participants the issue is “unfortunately, very topical” due to the increased violence and armed conflicts in different parts of the world, such as Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
“In this age, in which we are experiencing a ‘piecemeal third world war ‘, you are called upon to supply the military and their families with the spiritual and ethical dimensions which help them to face the difficulties and often harrowing questions inherent in this peculiar service to their country and to humanity,” he said.
“Many soldiers return from war operations or peacemaking missions with real inner wounds,” Pope Francis said. “War can leave an indelible mark in them. War, in fact, always leaves an indelible mark.”
Pope Francis said it is appropriate to wonder how to treat the spiritual wounds of soldiers who have witnessed atrocities during war.
“These people and their families require specific pastoral attention, which allows them to feel the maternal presence of the Church,” Pope Francis said. “The role of the chaplain is to accompany them and support them in their journey, as a fraternal and comforting presence.”
Pope Francis also spoke of the role humanitarian law plays in safeguarding the essential principles of humanity in a context which is “itself dehumanizing.”
The Holy Father pointed out humanitarian law aims to protect non-combatants; tries to ban weapons which cause horrible and unnecessary suffering,; and attempts to protect the natural environment and cultural heritage. He said because of this important mission, humanitarian law deserves to be “promoted and spread” among all militaries and armed forces, “including non-state actors.”
“In addition, it needs to be further developed, to deal with the new reality of the war, which today, unfortunately, uses increasingly deadly tools,” said Pope Francis.
“However, as Christians, we are deeply convinced that the ultimate goal, the most worthy of the person and the human community, is the abolition of war,” he said.
“Therefore, we must always strive to build bridges that bring us together, and not walls that keep us apart; we always have to help search for an opening to mediation and reconciliation; we must never give in to the temptation of considering the other only as an enemy to be destroyed, but rather as a person, endowed with inherent dignity, created by God in His image,” Pope Francis said.
“Even in the midst of the lacerations of war” – the Holy Father said – “we must never get tired of remembering that each person is extraordinarily sacred.” Shared from Radio Vaticana
Sanctifying Families Conference honored Married Couples - Exemplifying Sts. Zélie and Louis Martin
Thompson, explained that Louis and Zélie Martin both worked and raised their family. Louis was a watchmaker and Zélie was a maker of lace. The family lost of four children, three in infancy, one daughter at age five. Zélie herself died at 45 years of age from breast cancer. Louis became a single father of 5 daughters. All of them subsequently entered the religious life.
Thompson outlined how Louis and Zelie both worked in addition to raising their family, he as a watchmaker and she as a producer of fine lace. They also experienced much suffering, especially through the loss of four children, three in infancy, one daughter at age 5. Zelie died of breast cancer at the young age of 45, leaving Louis alone to raise their remaining five daughters, all of whom entered cloistered life, a huge sacrifice for their father.
A couple named, David and Theresa McPike, talked of their struggles in marriage especially at the death of their eldest daughter Naomi Therese at the age of five. They explained the "flowers from the Martin Family.” The McPike's have been married for 10 years, and are the parents of five. Shortly before Naomi's death, Thompson gave the McPike's the book "A Call to a Deeper Love". This was about the Martin family and described they experiences of losing four of their children yet still trusting in God. The McPike's learned to leave everything “to God’s holy will.”
The keynote speakers Rita and Gerard McCarthy, are the founders of the St. John’s, Newfoundland based "Marriages for Mary" apostolate. They spoke on God’s divine plan for marriage and on the mission to love.
LINK: http://www.marriagesformary.com/index.shtml
Rita and Gerard explained that love is not just a feeling. Love has to be unconditional, merciful and sacrificial. Key factors in family life are Forgiveness and Mercy according to the example of Jesus.
Rita spoke about “Letting go of our own agendas to love sacrificially..." which can be difficult at times. They spoke of trying times during their marriage of infidelity and the strength from God to stay together.
Cheryl and David Darwent of the Nazareth Family Apostolate also spoke of their retreats during the summer over the past 15 years which helped their 35-year marriage.
David explained that he had been sexually abused by an older brother, who is now dead, from infancy until he was 10.
The retreats provide a place where God can heal marriage and family life and give the support of other families. LINK http://www.nazarethfamily.com/
Fr. Tim Devine, a Blind Catholic Priest of the Companions of the Cross, also gave testimony. He explained that when his father left his mother
she was left alone and he did not know whether to enter seminary. Fr. Devine explained that his family helped him decide to
leave home despite everything and study for the priesthood. This was a great sacrifice; his mother was devastated at the departure of
his father but would place her wedding ring in front of the tabernacle. The strong faith in God of this family not only saw
Fr. Devine ordained but also converted his father and brought him back home and to the Catholic faith.All together these families provided a great witness to the ability to strive for holiness even in today's society.
Today's Mass Readings and Video : Mon. October 26, 2015
Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 479
Brothers and sisters,
we are not debtors to the flesh,
to live according to the flesh.
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die,
but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body,
you will live.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,
but you received a spirit of adoption,
through which we cry, “Abba, Father!”
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit
that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs,
heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,
if only we suffer with him
so that we may also be glorified with him.
we are not debtors to the flesh,
to live according to the flesh.
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die,
but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body,
you will live.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,
but you received a spirit of adoption,
through which we cry, “Abba, Father!”
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit
that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs,
heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,
if only we suffer with him
so that we may also be glorified with him.
Responsorial PsalmPS 68:2 AND 4, 6-7AB, 20-21
R. (21a) Our God is the God of salvation.
God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
R. Our God is the God of salvation.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R. Our God is the God of salvation.
Blessed day by day be the Lord,
who bears our burdens; God, who is our salvation.
God is a saving God for us;
the LORD, my Lord, controls the passageways of death.
R. Our God is the God of salvation.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
R. Our God is the God of salvation.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R. Our God is the God of salvation.
Blessed day by day be the Lord,
who bears our burdens; God, who is our salvation.
God is a saving God for us;
the LORD, my Lord, controls the passageways of death.
R. Our God is the God of salvation.
AlleluiaJN 17:17B, 17A
R. Alleluia, alleluia.Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 13:10-17
Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath.
And a woman was there who for eighteen years
had been crippled by a spirit;
she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect.
When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said,
“Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.”
He laid his hands on her,
and she at once stood up straight and glorified God.
But the leader of the synagogue,
indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath,
said to the crowd in reply,
“There are six days when work should be done.
Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.”
The Lord said to him in reply, “Hypocrites!
Does not each one of you on the sabbath
untie his ox or his ass from the manger
and lead it out for watering?
This daughter of Abraham,
whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now,
ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day
from this bondage?”
When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated;
and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him.
And a woman was there who for eighteen years
had been crippled by a spirit;
she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect.
When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said,
“Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.”
He laid his hands on her,
and she at once stood up straight and glorified God.
But the leader of the synagogue,
indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath,
said to the crowd in reply,
“There are six days when work should be done.
Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.”
The Lord said to him in reply, “Hypocrites!
Does not each one of you on the sabbath
untie his ox or his ass from the manger
and lead it out for watering?
This daughter of Abraham,
whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now,
ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day
from this bondage?”
When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated;
and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him.
#PopeFrancis meets with 7000 #Gypsies "Your children have the right to go to school..." Video
And highlighting the fact that every person has the right to a dignified life and a dignified job with access to education and health care, he told those present that they have the responsibility of building bridges with the rest of society in the name of a “peaceful co-habitation” in which different cultures and traditions can safeguard their values with an attitude of openness, with dialogue and integration. “We do not want to have to witness any more family tragedies in which children die from cold or are burnt in fires” he said. Nor – he continued - do we want to see children who are used like objects by depraved persons, or young people and women implicated in the trafficking of drugs or people. Pope Francis exhorted the Roma, Sinti and other itinerant peoples to become protagonists of fraternity and sharing in our cities in which there is so much individualism. “You can do this if you are good Christians, avoiding all that is not worthy of this name: lies, frauds, swindles, altercations” he said. And the Pope held up the example of the Blessed Zeffirino Giménez Malla as a model of life and religiosity. And urging those present to avoid giving the media and public opinion occasions to speak badly of Gypsies, he told them to be protagonists of their present and of their future. And speaking of future Pope Francis said “children are your most precious treasure” and he pointed out that education is at the base of the healthy development of the person. It is known, he said, that an insufficient level of education of many young Gypsy people represents the main obstacle in entering the world of work. “Your children have the right to go to school, do not stop them from doing so!” he said. And noting that it is the responsibility of adults to make sure their children obtain an education that will enable them to become citizens who can fully participate in the social, political and economic life of the country, Pope Francis also asked civil institutions to guarantee adequate formation courses for young Gypsies, giving those families most in need the possibility of being integrated in educational and labour programmes. (Linda Bordoni)
#PopeFrancis to #Chaldean Church "...centuries of peaceful coexistence with our Islamic brothers and sisters." FULL TEXT
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday (Oct. 26) addressed the members of the Synod of the Chaldean Church, reminding them that “the only authority is the authority of service, the only power is the power of the Cross”.
Listen to Devin Watkins' report:
Pope Francis, in his address to the Chaldean bishops, spoke about the responsible use of authority in the Church, saying “journeying together is an easy concept to put into words, but not so easy to put into practice”.
The Holy Father urged them to “keep always before you the image of the Good Shepherd who is concerned for the salvation of his sheep ... May you imitate him: zealous in seeking the salus animarum of priests as well as laity, realizing full well that the exercise of communion sometimes demands a genuine kenosis, a self-basement and self-spoliation.”
The Holy Father lamented the situation caused by hatred sowed through terrorism, saying it has created “a great hemorrhage of faithful who leave the lands of their fathers”.
In this vein, he said “this state of affairs clearly undermines the vital Christian presence in that land which witnessed the beginning of the journey of the Patriarch Abraham, heard the voice of the Prophets who called Israel to hope during the Exile, and saw the foundation of the first Churches upon the blood of many martyrs”.
The Pope affirmed the “complete support and solidarity of the Apostolic See in favour of the common good of the entire Chaldean Church”, as many Christians are displaced by violence.
Recognizing the Chaldean Church’s support of its members in the diaspora, the Holy Father called them to “work tirelessly as builders of unity in all the provinces of Iraq, fostering dialogue and cooperation among all those engaged in public life”.
He extended the call to the entire international community to sow seeds of peace in war-torn countries, “so that the life-giving breeze of love will once more be felt in places which have always been a crossroads for peoples, cultures and nations”.
Below, please find the official English translation of Pope Francis' address:
Address of His Holiness Pope Francis
to Members of the Synod of the Chaldean Church
Monday, 26 October 2015
Your Beatitude,
Dear Brother Bishops,
I welcome you with joy and I thank His Beatitude Patriarch Louis Raphaël I Sako for his kind words. I take this occasion to reach out, through you, to the faithful and all those dwelling in the beloved lands of Iraq and Syria in this particularly troubled and sensitive moment, with a message of comfort and Christian solidarity. With the approach of the Jubilee Year, may God’s mercy soothe the wounds of war afflicting the heart of your communities, that no one may feel discouragment in this time when the outcry of violence seems to drown out our heartfelt prayers for peace.
Today the situation in your lands of origin is gravely compromised by the fanatical hatred sown by terrorism, which continues to cause a great hemorrhage of faithful who leave the lands of their fathers, where they grew up firmly rooted in the furrow of tradition. This state of affairs clearly undermines the vital Christian presence in that land which witnessed the beginning of the journey of the Patriarch Abraham, heard the voice of the Prophets who called Israel to hope during the Exile, and saw the foundation of the first Churches upon the blood of many martyrs. There too Christians bore witness to the fullness of the Gospel, made their specific contribution to the growth of society over centuries of peaceful coexistence with our Islamic brothers and sisters. Sadly, these are times which are instead marked by countless examples of persecution, and even martyrdom.
The Chaldean Church, which suffers from the war, is also conscious of the needs of the faithful in the diaspora, who are desirous to maintaining their solid roots while becoming part of new situations. So I confirm, today more than ever, the complete support and solidarity of the Apostolic See in favour of the common good of the entire Chaldean Church. I pray that Christians will not be forced to abandon Iraq and the Middle East – I think especially of the sons and daughters of your Church, and their rich traditions.
I urge you to work tirelessly as builders of unity in all the provinces of Iraq, fostering dialogue and cooperation among all those engaged in public life, and contributing to healing existing divisions while preventing new ones from arising.
Your visit enables me to renew my heartfelt appeal to the international community to adopt every useful strategy aimed at bringing peace to countries terribly devastated by hatred, so that the life-giving breeze of love will once more be felt in places which have always been a crossroads for peoples, cultures and nations. May the peace for which we all hope arise on the horizon of history, so that the grievous tragedies caused by violence may yield to a climate of mutual coexistence.
The Synod which you are celebrating these days in Urbe, is a “journeying together”, a favorable moment of exchange amid the diversities which enrich your fraternal communion under the gaze of Christ, the Good Shepherd. As I had occasion to say in commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Synod of Bishops, “Journeying together is an easy concept to put into words, but not so easy to put into practice… Let us never forget this! For the disciples of Jesus, yesterday, today and always, the only authority is the authority of service, the only power is the power of the cross. As the Master tells us: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave” (Mt 20:25-27). It shall not be so among you: in this expression we touch the heart of the mystery of the Church, and we receive the enlightenment necessary to understand our hierarchical service” (Address for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Synod of Bishops, 17 October 2015).
I ask, then, to take up the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to have among you the mind of Christ (cf. Phil 2:5), acting with mercy, humility, patience and a mutual acceptance which gives rise to communion.
May the work of the Synod reflect a sense of responsibility, participation and service. Keep always before you the image of the Good Shepherd who is concerned for the salvation of his sheep, and is especially concerned for those who have strayed. May you imitate him: zealous in seeking the salus animarum of priests as well as laity, realizing full well that the exercise of communion sometimes demands a genuine kenosis, a self-basement and self-spoliation.
I encourage you to be a father to your priests and all consecrated men and woman, who are your primary collaborators, and, in respect for tradition and canonical norms, to be accepting of them, benevolent and understanding of their needs, discerning ways to help them be ever more aware of the demands of their ministry and service to the faithful. In doing so, you will bridge distances and discern the response to be given to the pressing needs of the Chaldean Church today, in your native lands and in the diaspora. In this way the reflections which emerge from your discussions will be able to provide fruitful solutions to your current needs and points of convergence for resolving liturgical and more general issues.
As I urge you to carry on your pastoral responsibilities with fraternal communion and a missionary spirit, I ask all of you, their pastors, to bring my words of encouragement to the faithful of the Chaldean Church. May they echo on your lips as a caress from the Pope which warms their hearts.
Entrusting the Chaldean Church to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary, I impart to you, your priests and religious, and all the faithful, my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of hope and consolation in the love of our Merciful God.
#BreakingNews Earthquake in Afghanistan Kills 70 with over 200 Injured - Please PRAY
Earthquake leaves dead and wounded, even shakes India and Pakistan70 are confirmed dead, at least 200 injured. For rescuers "the number will rise." The quake was 7.5 on the Richter scale. Originated in the northeast of the country, it has been felt for kilometers. Tens of thousands of people on the street. In Taluqan students from a local school rush to escape: 12 girls crushed to death in stampede.
Kabul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - An earthquake registering 7.5 on the Richter scale struck Afghanistan, India and Pakistan a few hours ago. The quake lasted about a minute and caused at least 70 deaths and more than 200 wounded in Afghanistan only. Rescuers believe that the number of victims is unfortunately likely to rise in the coming hours. Tens of thousands of people in the three countries have fled from buildings, which according to several eyewitnesses, "began to vibrate."
The earthquake originated in the mountainous area of the Hindu Kush, at a depth of 213.5 kilometers from the earth's surface. Rescue operations are complicated by the geography of the terrain, one of the least developed areas in Afghanistan and least equipped. Gul Mohammed Bidar, deputy governor of the province, has told AFP: "The lines are broken, the earthquake was very powerful. We sent a team to better understand the damage ".
At least 12 students died in an attempt to escape from a school in Taluqan,. The head of the local Education Department, Enayat Naweed, says: "Students rushed to try to leave the building. Twelve, all minors, were killed and 35 others were wounded in the stampede".
In the Pakistani city of Peshawar the quake has caused extensive damage. The national army spokesman confirmed that the military is on high alert, while the mayor of the city Arbab Muhammad Asim confirmed at least 100 injured, "Buildings and houses have collapsed."
So far, however, there have been no reports of damage from India, where the quake was felt even in Delhi. Then the subway shut down operations and thousands of people fled from the buildings. Eyewitnesses confirm that the buildings "trembled for some time" immediately after the quake. Shared from AsiaNewsIT
Saint October 26 : St. Evaristus : Pope : Died 107
POPE
Feast: October 26
Information:
Feast Day:
October 26
Died:
107
Date of birth unknown; died about 107. In the Liberian Catalogue his name is given as Aristus. In papal catalogues of the second century used by Irenaeus and Hippolytus, he appears as the fourth successor of St. Peter, immediately after St Clement. The same lists allow him eight years of reign, covering the end of the first and the beginning of the second century (from about 98 or 99 to about 106 or 107). The earliest historical sources offer no authentic data about him. In his "Ecclesiastical History" Eusebius says merely that he succeeded Clement in the episcopate of the Roman Church which fact was already known from St. Irenaeus. This order of succession is undoubtedly correct. The "Liber Pontificalis" says that Evaristus came of a Hellenic family, and was the son of a Bethlehem Jew. It also attributes to him the allotment of definite churches asto the Roman presbyters, and the division of the city into seven or deaconries; in this statement, however, the "Liber Pontificalis " arbitrarily refers to the time of Evaristus a later institution of the Roman Church. More trustworthy is the assertion of the "Liber Pontificalis" that he was laid to rest , near the tomb of St. Peter. The martyrdom of Evaristus, though traditional, is not historically proven. His feast occurs 26 Oct. The two decretals ascribed to him by Pseudo-Isidore are forged. SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/E/stevaristus.asp
Feast: October 26
Information:
Feast Day:
October 26
Died:
107
Date of birth unknown; died about 107. In the Liberian Catalogue his name is given as Aristus. In papal catalogues of the second century used by Irenaeus and Hippolytus, he appears as the fourth successor of St. Peter, immediately after St Clement. The same lists allow him eight years of reign, covering the end of the first and the beginning of the second century (from about 98 or 99 to about 106 or 107). The earliest historical sources offer no authentic data about him. In his "Ecclesiastical History" Eusebius says merely that he succeeded Clement in the episcopate of the Roman Church which fact was already known from St. Irenaeus. This order of succession is undoubtedly correct. The "Liber Pontificalis" says that Evaristus came of a Hellenic family, and was the son of a Bethlehem Jew. It also attributes to him the allotment of definite churches as
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