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Monday, January 4, 2016

Catholic News World : Mon. January 4, 2015 - SHARE

2016

How #StarsWars helps Faith in God - 5 Ways to SHARE - Interview with George Lucas

George Lucas wanted Star Wars to teach the new generation about spirituality mainly good and evil. There are thus, many biblical themes and religious truths in his movies.
 1.  The reality of an invisible higher power, like God, who is able to produce miracles.
 2. The call : or vocation to serve the higher power. Luke is a simple boy but is called by Obi-Wan to learn the ways of the Force.
 3. Existence of Good and Evil: There is a definite power of Good and refusal to rely on the Force leads to the void of Evil. The force seems to resemble the Holy Spirit.
 4. Redemptive sacrifice is evident in the film when characters try to save people from the darkness which involves suffering and sacrifice. For example: Obi-Wan allows himself be killed by Darth Vader to free Luke, and the others can live. But, death results in a resurrection and the good appear as spirits after they die.
 5. Conversion: despite the power that evil can have over someone’s soul, there is always good somewhere. Conversions and redemption are possible even during the last stages of life. Luke tells his father, Darth Vader: “I feel the good in you.” This faith brings Darth Vader back, and he becomes good again.

Catholic #Quote to SHARE by St. Faustina "I am not alone, because Jesus is with me, and with Him I fear nothing"


St. Faustina "I am not alone, because Jesus is with me, and with Him I fear nothing"

Latest #News of #Vatican Information Service and #PopeFrancis at #HolySee to SHARE


04-01-2016 - Year XXII - Num. 1 

Summary
- Angelus: open the doors of our heart to the Word of Jesus
- In joyful and sad moments, let us trust in the Lord
- Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of St. Mary Major
- Francis: we are called to immerse ourselves in the ocean of mercy
- Angelus: the enemy of peace is not only war, but also indifference
- Te Deum: good always prevails
- To the Pueri Cantores: “Let us not forget the hidden saints”
- Entry into force of agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine
- Other Pontifical Acts
Angelus: open the doors of our heart to the Word of Jesus
Vatican City, 3 January 2016 (VIS) – On the first Sunday of the year and the second after Christmas, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace at midday to pray the Angelus with the faithful and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square. “The Word – that is, the creative Word of God – was made flesh, and dwelt among us”, he said, referring to the prologue of the Gospel of St. John. “That Word, which dwells in heaven, that is, in the dimension of God, came to earth so that we might listen and be able to know and touch with our hand the love of the Father. The Word of God is the Only-begotten Son, made man, full of love and of faithfulness, Jesus Himself”.
 The Pope explained that the Evangelist “does not conceal the dramatic nature of the Incarnation of the Son of God, emphasising that the gift of God's love is countered with its non-acceptance on the part of man. The World is light, but men have preferred darkness;. They closed the door in the face of the Son of God. It is the mystery of evil that undermines our life and that necessitates vigilance and attention on our part, so that it does not prevail. The Book of Genesis offers us a beautiful phrase that helps us to understand this: it says that evil 'lies in wait at our door'. Woe to us if we allow it to enter, as it would then close our door to anyone else. Instead we are called upon to throw open the door of our heart to the Word of God, to Jesus, thus to become His children”.
The Holy Father reiterated that once again the Church invites us to welcome the Word of salvation, this mystery of light. “If we welcome Jesus, we will grow in understanding and in the love of the Lord, and will learn to be merciful like Him”, he said. “Especially in this Holy Year of Mercy, let us be sure that the Gospel becomes ever more incarnate in our own lives too. Approaching the Gospel, meditating on it and incarnating it in daily life is the best way of understanding Jesus and bringing Him to others. This is the vocation and joy of every baptised person – showing Jesus and bringing Him to others – but to do this we must first know Him and have Him within us, as the Lord of our life. He will defend us from evil, from the devil, who always lies in wait by our door and wants to enter”.
He concluded, “With the renewed zeal of filial abandon, let us entrust ourselves yet again to Mary, whose sweet image as the Mother of Jesus and as our Mother we contemplate in the nativity during these days”.
In joyful and sad moments, let us trust in the Lord
Vatican City, 3 January 2016 (VIS) – After the Marian prayer, the Pope greeted the pilgrims present and reiterated his hope for peace and good in the Lord. “In moments of joy and of sadness, let us trust in Him, our mercy and our hope”.
He also mentioned the commitment we undertake on the first day of the year, the World Day of Peace: “overcome indifference and win peace”. “With God's grace, we can put this into practice”, he said, again encouraging those present to keep a copy of the Gospel to hand at all times and to read a paragraph every day “to know Jesus better, to open our heart to Jesus, and to enable others to know Him better”.
Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of St. Mary Major
Vatican City, 1 January 2016 (VIS) – On the afternoon of Friday, 1 January, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he then opened the Holy Door.
The following is the full text of the homily pronounced by the Holy Father:
“Salve, Mater Misericordiae! With this invocation we turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Roman Basilica dedicated to her under the title of Mother of God. It is the first line of an ancient hymn which we will sing at the conclusion of this Holy Eucharist. Composed by an unknown author, it has come down to us as a heartfelt prayer spontaneously rising up from the hearts of the faithful: 'Hail Mother of mercy, Mother of God, Mother of forgiveness, Mother of hope, Mother of grace and Mother full of holy gladness'. In these few words we find a summary of the faith of generations of men and women who, with their eyes fixed firmly on the icon of the Blessed Virgin, have sought her intercession and consolation.
 “It is most fitting that on this day we invoke the Blessed Virgin Mary above all as Mother of mercy. The door we have opened is, in fact, a Door of Mercy. Those who cross its threshold are called to enter into the merciful love of the Father with complete trust and freedom from fear; they can leave this Basilica knowing – truly knowing – that Mary is ever at their side. She is the Mother of mercy, because she bore in her womb the very Face of divine mercy, Jesus, Emmanuel, the Expectation of the nations, the 'Prince of Peace'. The Son of God, made incarnate for our salvation, has given us His Mother, who joins us on our pilgrimage through this life, so that we may never be left alone, especially at times of trouble and uncertainty.
“Mary is the Mother of God, she is the Mother of God who forgives, who bestows forgiveness, and so we can rightly call her Mother of forgiveness. This word – 'forgiveness' – so misunderstood in today’s world, points to the new and original fruit of Christian faith. A person unable to forgive has not yet known the fullness of love. Only one who truly loves is able to forgive and forget. At the foot of the Cross, Mary sees her Son offer Himself totally, showing us what it means to love as God loves. At that moment she heard Jesus utter words which probably reflected what He had learned from her as a child: 'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing'. At that moment, Mary became for all of us the Mother of forgiveness. Following Jesus’ example and by His grace, she herself could forgive those who killed her innocent Son.
“For us, Mary is an icon of how the Church must offer forgiveness to those who seek it. The Mother of forgiveness teaches the Church that the forgiveness granted on Golgotha knows no limits. Neither the law with its quibbles, nor the wisdom of this world with its distinctions, can hold it back. The Church’s forgiveness must be every bit as broad as that offered by Jesus on the Cross and by Mary at His feet. There is no other way. It is for this purpose that the Holy Spirit made the Apostles the effective ministers of forgiveness, so what was obtained by the death of Jesus may reach all men and women in every age.
“The Marian hymn continues: 'Mother of hope and Mother of grace, Mother of holy gladness'. Hope, grace and holy gladness are all sisters: they are the gift of Christ; indeed, they are so many names written on His body. The gift that Mary bestows in offering us Jesus is the forgiveness which renews life, enables us once more to do God’s will and fills us with true happiness. This grace frees the heart to look to the future with the joy born of hope. This is the teaching of the Psalm: 'Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. […] Restore to me the joy of your salvation'. The power of forgiveness is the true antidote to the sadness caused by resentment and vengeance. Forgiveness leads to joy and serenity because it frees the heart from thoughts of death, whereas resentment and vengeance trouble the mind and wound the heart, robbing it of rest and peace. What horrible things are resentment and vengeance.
“Let us, then, pass through the Holy Door of Mercy knowing that at our side is the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Mother of God, who intercedes for us. Let us allow her to lead us to the rediscovery of the beauty of an encounter with her Son Jesus. Let us open wide the doors of our heart to the joy of forgiveness, conscious that we have been given new confidence and hope, and thus make our daily lives a humble instrument of God’s love.
“And with the love and affection of children, let us cry out to Our Lady as did the faithful people of God in Ephesus during the historic Council: 'Holy Mother of God!' I invite you to repeat together this acclamation three times, aloud and with all your heart and with all your love: 'Holy Mother of God! Holy Mother of God! Holy Mother of God!'”.
Francis: we are called to immerse ourselves in the ocean of mercy
Vatican City, 1 January 2016 (VIS) – Today, solemnity of Holy Mary Mother of God and the octave of Christmas, the Holy Father presided at Mass in the Vatican Basilica, concelebrated by cardinals, bishops and priests and attended by the Pueri Cantores, who have concluded their fortieth International Congress. Today is also the 49 th World Day of Peace, whose theme this year is “Overcome difference and win peace”.
The following is the full text of the homily pronounced by Pope Francis:
“We have heard the words of the Apostle Paul: 'When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman'. What does it mean to say that Jesus was born in 'the fullness of time'? If we consider that particular moment of history, we might quickly be deluded. Rome had subjugated a great part of the known world by her military might. The Emperor Augustus had come to power after five civil wars. Israel itself had been conquered by the Roman Empire and the Chosen People had lost their freedom. For Jesus’ contemporaries, it was certainly not the best of times. To define the fullness of time, then, we should not look to the geopolitical sphere.
“Another interpretation is needed, one which views that fullness from God’s standpoint. It is when God decided that the time had come to fulfil His promise, that the fullness of time came for humanity. History does not determine the birth of Christ; rather, His coming into the world enables history to attain its fullness. For this reason, the birth of the Son of God inaugurates a new era, a new computation of time, the era which witnesses the fulfilment of the ancient promise. As the author of the Letter to the Hebrews writes: 'God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by a Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also created the world. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and He sustains all things by His powerful word'. The fullness of time, then, is the presence of God Himself in our history. Now we can see His glory, which shines forth in the poverty of a stable; we can be encouraged and sustained by His Word, made 'little' in a baby. Thanks to Him, our time can find its fullness. The use of our personal time can also find its fullness in the encounter with Jesus Christ, God made man.
“Nonetheless, this mystery constantly clashes with the dramatic experience of human history. Each day, as we seek to be sustained by the signs of God’s presence, we encounter new signs to the contrary, negative signs which tend to make us think instead that He is absent. The fullness of time seems to fade before the countless forms of injustice and violence which daily wound our human family. Sometimes we ask ourselves how it is possible that human injustice persists unabated, and that the arrogance of the powerful continues to demean the weak, relegating them to the most squalid outskirts of our world. We ask how long human evil will continue to sow violence and hatred in our world, reaping innocent victims. How can the fullness of time have come when we are witnessing hordes of men, women and children fleeing war, hunger and persecution, ready to risk their lives simply to encounter respect for their fundamental rights? A torrent of misery, swollen by sin, seems to contradict the fullness of time brought by Christ. Remember, dear pueri cantores, this was the third question you asked me yesterday: how do we explain this… even children are aware of this.
“And yet this swollen torrent is powerless before the ocean of mercy which floods our world. All of us are called to immerse ourselves in this ocean, to let ourselves be reborn, to overcome the indifference which blocks solidarity, and to leave behind the false neutrality which prevents sharing. The grace of Christ, which brings our hope of salvation to fulfilment, leads us to cooperate with Him in building an ever more just and fraternal world, a world in which every person and every creature can dwell in peace, in the harmony of God’s original creation.
“At the beginning of a new year, the Church invites us to contemplate Mary’s divine maternity as an icon of peace. The ancient promise finds fulfilment in her person. She believed in the words of the angel, conceived her Son and thus became the Mother of the Lord. Through her, through her 'yes', the fullness of time came about. The Gospel we have just heard tells us that the Virgin Mary 'treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart'. She appears to us as a vessel filled to the brim with the memory of Jesus, as the Seat of Wisdom to whom we can have recourse to understand His teaching aright. Today Mary makes it possible for us to grasp the meaning of events which affect us personally, events which also affect our families, our countries and the entire world. Where philosophical reason and political negotiation cannot arrive, there the power of faith, which brings the grace of Christ’s Gospel, can arrive, opening ever new pathways to reason and to negotiation.
“Blessed are you, Mary, for you gave the Son of God to our world. But even more blessed are you for having believed in Him. Full of faith, you conceived Jesus first in your heart and then in your womb, and thus became the Mother of all believers. Send us, O Mother, your blessing on this day consecrated to your honour. Show us the face of Jesus your Son, Who bestows upon the entire world mercy and peace. Amen”.
Angelus: the enemy of peace is not only war, but also indifference
Vatican City, 1 January 2016 (VIS) – Following the Eucharistic celebration Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to pray the Angelus with the thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square. Before the Marian prayer, the Pope wished a happy new year to those present and asked the Lord to grant peace on this, the 49th World Day of Peace.
“We know that with the new year not everything changes, and that many of yesterday's problems will remain even tomorrow. So I convey to you my wishes supported by true hope, which I draw from today's liturgy. … I also hope that the Lord may look upon you and that you may rejoice, knowing that every day His merciful face, more radiant than the sun, shines on you and never sets! Discovering God's face renews life, because He is a Father of his beloved humanity, Who never tires of starting over with us to renew us. But He does not promise magical changes, He does not use a magic wand. He loves to change reality from within, with patience and love; He asks to enter into our lives delicately, like rain on the earth, to bring fruit. And He always awaits us and looks upon us with tenderness. Every morning, as we reawaken, we can say, 'Today the Lord makes his face to shine upon me'. A beautiful prayer that is also reality”.
Francis remarked that today we celebrate the World Day of Peace, whose theme this year is “Overcome indifference and win peace”, and said that peace, that God the Father wishes to sow throughout the world, “must be cultivated by us. Not only that, it must also be 'won'. This implies a true struggle, a spiritual battle that takes place within our heart. The enemy of peace is not only war, but also indifference, which makes us think only of ourselves, so that we create barriers, suspicions, fears and narrow-mindedness. These things are the enemies of peace. We have, thanks be to God, access to much information; however at times we are so immersed in news that we are distracted from reality, from the brother and sister who need us. Let us start to open our heart, turning our attention to our neighbour, to those who are closest to us. This is the path to winning peace”.
The Pope asked for the help of the Queen of Peace, the Mother of God, whose solemnity we celebrate today. He explained that she “treasured these things, pondering them in her heart. … Let us entrust this new year to the Mother, so that peace and mercy might grow”.
Te Deum: good always prevails
Vatican City, 31 December 2015 (VIS) – On Thursday at 5 p.m., in the Vatican Basilica, the Holy Father presided at the first Vespers of the Solemnity of Holy Mary Mother of God. This was followed by the exposition of the Holy Sacrament, the traditional “Te Deum” hymn of thanksgiving for the year end, and the Eucharistic blessing. Francis concluded by blessing the nativity display in St. Peter's Square.
“Retracing the days of the past year can either take the form of a remembrance of facts and events leading to moments of joy and suffering, or of seeking to understand whether we have perceived the presence of God Who renews and sustains all with His help. We are called upon to confirm whether the events of the world were realised in accordance with God's will, or if we listened principally to the plans of men, often loaded with private interests, of insatiable thirst for power and gratuitous violence”.
“However, today our eyes must focus in particular on the signs that God has granted us, to touch with our own hand the strength of his merciful love. We cannot forget that many days have been marked by violence, death, and the unspeakable suffering of many innocent people, of refugees compelled to leave their homeland, of men, women and children without a fixed abode, food or sustenance. And then, great gestures of goodness, love and solidarity have filled the days of this year, even though they have not appeared on the news. Good things do not make the news. These signs of love cannot and must not be obscured by the arrogance of evil. Good always prevails, even though in some moments it can appear weaker and hidden”.
“Our city of Rome is not extraneous to this condition that affects the entire world. I would like all its inhabitants to receive a sincere invitation to overcome the difficulties of the present moment. Commitment to recovering the fundamental values of service, honesty and solidarity enables us to overcome the grave uncertainties that have dominated this past year, and which are symptoms of a meagre sense of dedication to the common good. May the positive contribution of Christian witness never be lacking, so that Rome, in accordance with her history, and with the maternal intercession of Mary Salus Populi Romani, may be a special interpreter of faith, acceptance, fraternity and peace”.
To the Pueri Cantores: “Let us not forget the hidden saints”
Vatican City, 31 December 2015 (VIS) – This morning the Holy Father received in the Paul VI Hall the participants in the 40 th International Congress organised by the International Federation of the Pueri Cantores, held in Rome from 28 December to 1 January. During the encounter the young choristers took the opportunity to present various questions to the Pope, who commented that he loved to listen to singing but was unable to sing himself. He shared anecdotes from his childhood with the young people, and emphasised that song educates and benefits the soul. “Christian life is a journey”, he said, “but not a sad one; instead it is a joyful path. And this is why we sing. Sing and journey … and in this way your soul will experience the joy of the Gospel”.
The second question regarded whether or not the Pope had made any new year's resolutions, to which Francis responded with a parable. “Once Jesus encountered a boy who said a word similar to yours: he said, 'Jesus, good master'. And Jesus looked at him and said: 'No, only God is good'. And what about us? Are we bad? No, half and half, we have a bit of everything. There is always that wound of original sin that we bear and which leads us not always to be good. But always remember, only God is good, and if you want to find goodness, go to the Lord, He is all goodness, all love, all mercy”. The Holy Father also recalled the many saints hidden in everyday life: good people who endeavour to be close to the Lord; he also mentioned the many other people who live their life in a state of anger. “To be angry harms not only the other person, but also yourself: it poisons you. And there are people who surely you know who have a bitter soul, who live their lives in anger and bitterness. It seems as if every day they clean their teeth with vinegar! … This is an illness”. With regard to new year's resolutions, he said that he had made one: to pray more, as “bishops and priests … must support God's people first with prayer – it is the first service”. He asked those present to pray more too, since “the Church goes ahead with the prayer of the holy. Pray for the Church!”.
A further question related to whether the world would always remain full of sad and tragic stories. “The world can improve”, he declared. “But there is something we do not like to talk about, but which we must talk about”, he added. “In the world there is a struggle between good and evil, as philosophers say, or between the devil and God. … The Bible tells us that this will continue until the end … and we all have a battlefield within us. There is the struggle between good and evil”. He added that in the world there are many good things, but “there is this attraction towards evil: it seems that we prefer to look at bad things rather than good things, great things. The devil does his part – this is true – but God too does His part, and there are many holy people. … We must not let ourselves be deceived! In the world there are bad things … and this is the devil's work against God; but there are also holy things, great things that are the work of God. There are hidden saints. Let us not forget this word: the hidden saints, those we do not see”.
Entry into force of agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine
Vatican City, 2 January 2016 (VIS) – With reference to the Comprehensive Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Palestine, signed on 26 June 2015, the Holy See and State of Palestine have notified each other that the procedural requirements for its entry into force have been fulfilled, under the terms of Article 30 of the same Agreement.
The Agreement, consisting of a Preamble and 32 articles, regards essential aspects of the life and activity of the Church in Palestine, while at the same time reaffirming the support for a negotiated and peaceful solution to the conflict in the region.
Other Pontifical Acts
Vatican City, 3 January 2016 (VIS) – The Holy Father has appointed:
- Fr. William Ernesto Iraheta Rivera as bishop of Santiago de Maria (area 2,866, population 563,000, Catholics 449,700, priests 85, religious 88), El Salvador. The bishop-elect was born in Jayaque, El Salvador in 1962 and was ordained a priest in 1988. He has served in a number of pastoral roles in the archdiocese of San Salvador, including deputy priest, parish priest, director of the “Rosa Blanca” school centre, moderator of the archdiocesan curia, director of Caritas and episcopal delegate for education. He is currently pastor of the “San Marcos” parish. He succeeds Bishop Rodrigo Orlando Cabrera Cuellar, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese upon reaching the age limit was accepted by the Holy Father.
- Fr. Celestin-Marie Gaoua as bishop of Sokode (area 12,610, population 1,300,000, Catholics 153,000, priests 65, religious 87), Togo. The bishop-elect was born in Wahala, Togo in 1957 and was ordained a priest in 1986. He has served in a number of roles, including rector of the St. Paul minor seminary and the Fr. Jeremie Moran seminary in Atakpame, and missionary fidei donum in the diocese of Sokode, where he was parish vicar, pastor of the Cathedral parish and parish administrator. He is currently rector of the national philosophical major seminary Benoit XVI in Tchitchao, Kara, Togo. He succeeds Bishop Ambroise Kotamba Djoliba, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese upon reaching the age limit was accepted by the Holy Father.
- erected the eparchy of St. Mary, Queen of Peace, of the United States of American and Canada, for faithful of Syro-Malabar rite.
- appointed Bishop Thomas Mar Eusebios Naickamparambil, apostolic exarch for Syro-Malankars resident in the United States of America and apostolic visitor for the faithful in Canada and Europe, as the first eparchial bishop of the new eparchy of St. Mary, Queen of Peace, of the United States of American and Canada.

Top 10 Reasons to SHARE why you should Learn Latin - #Latin + List of Important terms

Latin is one of the most useful languages to learn. Here are the top 10 reasons to learn LATIN:
1.Over half of English vocabulary is derived from Latin, whether directly or indirectly through the Romance languages (Italian, Spanish and French). Latin and English also share many grammatical rules.

2.Many branches of modern science come from either Greek or Latin roots. In chemistry the periodic table symbols are mainly based on the Latin names of those elements. For example, gold has the symbol AU from the Latin word for Gold (aura)
3. Many historical examinations of events involve the Latin language and culture; many current systems of management are based on the systems developed during Roman times.
4. Latin helps you learn other languages. The five Romance language; Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian and Romanian are derived from Latin.
5. Studies show that on average, Latin students score higher on tests.
6. Fields such as law, medicine and scientific fields use a plethora of Latin terminology.
7. Many top Colleges and Universities public and private admit that when Latin is on a entrance transcript they look more favorably upon a candidate.
8. Many historical authors and artists including William Shakespeare, Dante Alighieri to present day authors including J.K. Rowling, have used the Latin language in their works.
9. Latin is used today by the Catholic Church extensively in Papal documents, liturgy and music. Gregorian chant and many polyphonic works use Latin.
10. Latin is Fun!
 A List of Important Latin Terms: 
1.Per se: The direct translation of this term is "by itself"
2. Vice versa: From the Latin meaning "to change" or "turn around," this term means to reverse the order of something.
3. Alma mater:  The literal translation is "dear/bountiful mother".  It is used in everyday language to denote the college or university from which one has graduated.
4. Magnum opus: This Latin term denotes the greatest work done by an artist.
5. Bona fide: It's literal translation means "good faith". In legal terms, it is used to represent something that is presented without deception or fraud, and lawful.
6. Quasi: In Latin, this word means as if or as though. It simply designates something that resembles something else but doesn't quite have all the same features.
7. Verbatim: If you repeat something verbatim you repeat it in exactly the same words, word for word with no changes and no improvisation.
8. Status quo: From the Latin meaning "the state in which" this term is used today to designate the existing state or condition of things.
9. Sic: Found in writing, this Latin word most commonly finds a home in brackets (like this: [sic]) when quoting a statement or writing. It indicates that there is a spelling or grammar error (or just something out of the ordinary) in the original quotation and that the publication has only reproduced it faithfully, not made an error of their own.
10. Id est: Commonly abbreviated to i.e. In Latin, it means "that is" and is used in English when the speaker or writer wants to give an example or explanation that specifies a statement.
11. Deus ex machina: In direct translation, this term means, "God out of a machine" and it harkens back ancient Greek and Roman plays. When the plot would become too tangled or confusing, the writers would simply bring in God, lowered in via a pulley system (the machine) and he would wrap it all up. Today, it's still used in literature to describe a plot where an artificial or improbable means of resolving a conflict is used.
12. Exempli gratia: You'll often see this term abbreviated to e.g. in writing. It means "for the sake of example" and when it see it in a sentence you can expect that is will be followed by some examples. 13. Et cetera: Often abbreviated as etc. Meaning "and the others" it is used to denote that a list of things could continue ad infinitum.
14. Ex libris: Back in the days when books were rarer and more expensive commodities than they were today, it was common to mark your books with a label bearing your own name and this phrase which means "from the library of."
15. Ibidem: Another abbreviated term, this word is more commonly seen in research writing in the form of "ibid." From the Latin for "in the same place" it is found in footnotes and bibliographies to designate that the same source has been cited twice in succession.
16. Et alii: You're unlikely to encounter this Latin phrase in its unabbreviated form, and will most likely only ever see it as et al when included. This is also a term that is found in footnotes and bibliographies which allows writers to refer to a large 3 number of authors without having to write each name out.
17. Ad infinitum:  It means "to infinity" and can be used to describe something that goes on, seemingly or actually endlessly
18. De facto: In Latin, de facto means "from the fact" and in use in English it is often used to distinguish was is supposed to be the case from what is actually the reality.
19. In toto: It means in all or entirely. Think of it as saying "in total".
20. Ipso facto: Meaning "by the fact itself" this commonly used and misused term is denotes when something is true by its very nature.
21. Mea culpa: Use this Latin phrase that translates literally to "my fault."
22. In situ: If something happens in situ it happens in place or on site, though the term often designates something that exists in an original or natural state.
23. In vivo:  In vivo means "within the living" and the two most common examples of this kind of experimentation are animal testing and clinical trials.
24. A priori: You might come across this term in classes about logic or reasoning. It means taking a general law or idea and applying it to a particular instance without needing experimentation or observation.
25. A posteriori: A posteriori arguments are different than a priori because they are based on actual observation or experimentation.
26. Ergo: Simply put, ergo means therefore and you can exchange it with therefore or hence in any sentence and maintain the same meaning.
27.. Compis mentis: Meaning "in command of one's mind" this term is used in the legal field to denote someone who is competent to stand trial and not encumbered by mental illness or handicap.
28. Subpoena:The word subpoena comes from the Latin meaning "under penalty" and if someone delivers a subpoena to you have to respond or they'll be some big penalties under the law.
29. Ad hominem: In court, or outside of it for that matter, this term is used to designate an argument that attacks someone's character rather than addressing a question or issue at hand. By attacking character, these arguments appeal to emotions and prejudices rather than reason or logic.
30. Habeas corpus: A writ of habeas corpus (literally, have the body) requires a person to appear before the court in person, generally to ascertain whether or not the 5 detention of that person is lawful. Habeas corpus cannot be suspended unless there is reason to believe that a person could pose a danger to the public.
31. Pro bono: Pro bono means "for the good" and it's a term used to designate when something is done free of charge. While the term can be applied in any field, it is most commonly used to describe legal services.
32. Mens rea:Mens rea means "guilty mind," and those who go into a crime intending to commit it have it, differing from those who commit a crime accidentally or without advance planning.
33. Ad hoc: From the Latin meaning "to this," this term gained popularity in the mid- 1600s and it still used today. It refers to something that is formed or done quickly to meets the needs of a particular problem or issue without regard to a more general application and generally lacking advance planning.
34. Per diem: Meaning "by the day" a per diem in most uses today designates a daily allowance used in traveling for work. It can also mean a per-day rate or that someone is paid on a daily basis. Other common similar terms are per annum (by the year) and per capita (by the person.)
35. Curriculum vitae: A curriculum vitae describes a resume. It means literally "the course of one's life".
36. Pro rata: This Latin phrase is something you're likely familiar with in everyday life. It means to charge at a proportional rate.
37. Quid pro quo: Often used to describe an exchange of value necessary for a contract to take place. From the Latin meaning "this for that," it gets used in everywhere from the courtroom to the bedroom.
38. Carpe diem: This well-known phrase comes from a poem by Horace. While there have been arguments about the exact translation, it is most commonly held to mean "seize the day" encouraging individuals to live life to the fullest today without expectation of a tomorrow.
39. E pluribus unum:This is found on American currency. It means "out of many, one" and is found on anything bearing the seal of the United States.
Adapted source of terminology from practicalpages///oedb.org/

#Novena to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton - #Prayers to SHARE

NOVENA TO
SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON



Say for 9 Days - 
Say 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be each day of the Novena:
Oh, God our Father, 
glorify here upon earth your servant, 
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 
by manifesting the power of her intercession 
through the favour I now implore.

(State your intention here...)

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You 
and the Holy Spirit, 
one God, 
forever and ever. 

Amen. 





Soul of Jesus, Sanctify me.  Blood of Jesus, Wash me, Passion of Jesus, Comfort me. Wounds of Jesus, Hide me.  Heart of Jesus, Receive me. Spirit of Jesus, Enliven me.  Goodness of Jesus, Pardon me. Beauty of Jesus, Draw me.  Humility of Jesus, Humble me.  Peace of Jesus, Pacify me.  Love of Jesus, Inflame me.  Kingdom of Jesus, Come to me.  Grace of Jesus, Replenish me.  Mercy of Jesus, Pity me. Sanctity of Jesus, Sanctify me.  Purity of Jesus, Purify me.  Cross of Jesus, Support me.  Nails of Jesus, Hold me.  Mouth of Jesus, Bless me in life, in death, in time and eternity. Mouth of Jesus, Defend me in the hour of death. Mouth of Jesus, Call me to come to Thee. Mouth of Jesus, Receive me with Thy saints in glory evermore. Let Us Pray Unite me to Thyself, O adorable Victim. Life-giving heavenly Bread, feed me, sanctify me, reign in me, transform me to Thyself, live in me; let me live in Thee; let me adore Thee in Thy life-giving Sacrament as my God, listen to Thee as to my Master, obey Thee as my King, imitate Thee as my Model, follow Thee as my Shepherd, love Thee as my Father, seek Thee as my Physician who wilt heal all the maladies of my soul. Be indeed my Way, Truth and Life; sustain me, O heavenly Manna, through the desert of this world, till I shall behold Thee unveiled in Thy glory. Amen

Today's Mass Readings and Video : Mon. January 4, 2016

Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

Lectionary: 212


Reading 11 JN 3:22–4:6

Beloved:
We receive from him whatever we ask,
because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And his commandment is this:
we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and love one another just as he commanded us.
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,
and the way we know that he remains in us
is from the Spirit whom he gave us.

Beloved, do not trust every spirit
but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God,
because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
This is how you can know the Spirit of God:
every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh
belongs to God,
and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus
does not belong to God.
This is the spirit of the antichrist
who, as you heard, is to come,
but in fact is already in the world.
You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them,
for the one who is in you
is greater than the one who is in the world.
They belong to the world;
accordingly, their teaching belongs to the world,
and the world listens to them.
We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us,
while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us.
This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.

Responsorial PsalmPS 2:7BC-8, 10-12A

R. (8ab) I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you.
Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.”
R. I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.
And now, O kings, give heed;
take warning, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him;
with trembling rejoice.
R. I will give you all the nations for an inheritance.

AlleluiaSEE MT 4:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMT 4:12-17, 23-25

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.”

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.
His fame spread to all of Syria,
and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases
and racked with pain,
those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics,
and he cured them.
And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea,
and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

Saint January 4 : St. Elizabeth Ann Seton : #Foundress of the #Sisters of #Charity ; Patron of Catholic Schools




Feast Day:January4

Born:
28 August 1774 in New York City, New York, USA
Died:4 January 1821 in Emmitsburg, Maryland
Canonized:
14 September 1975 by Pope Paul VI
Patron of:Catholic Schools; State of Maryland
 She founded the first American religious community for women, the Sisters of Charity. She opened the first American parish school and established the first American Catholic orphanage. All this she did in the span of 46 years while raising her five children.
Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton is a true daughter of the American Revolution, born August 28, 1774, just two years before the Declaration of Independence. By birth and marriage, she was linked to the first families of New York and enjoyed the fruits of high society. Reared a staunch Episcopalian by her mother and stepmother, she learned the value of prayer, Scripture and a nightly examination of conscience. Her father, Dr. Richard Bayley, did not have much use for churches but was a great humanitarian, teaching his daughter to love and serve others.
The early deaths of her mother in 1777 and her baby sister in 1778 gave Elizabeth a feel for eternity and the temporariness of the pilgrim life on earth. Far from being brooding and sullen, she faced each new “holocaust,” as she put it, with hopeful cheerfulness.
At 19, Elizabeth was the belle of New York and married a handsome, wealthy businessman, William Magee Seton. They had five children before his business failed and he died of tuberculosis. At 30, Elizabeth was widowed, penniless, with five small children to support.
While in Italy with her dying husband, Elizabeth witnessed Catholicity in action through family friends. Three basic points led her to become a Catholic: belief in the Real Presence, devotion to the Blessed Mother and conviction that the Catholic Church led back to the apostles and to Christ. Many of her family and friends rejected her when she became a Catholic in March 1805.
To support her children, she opened a school in Baltimore. From the beginning, her group followed the lines of a religious community, which was officially founded in 1809.
The thousand or more letters of Mother Seton reveal the development of her spiritual life from ordinary goodness to heroic sanctity. She suffered great trials of sickness, misunderstanding, the death of loved ones (her husband and two young daughters) and the heartache of a wayward son. She died January 4, 1821, and became the first American-born citizen to be beatified (1963) and then canonized (1975). She is buried in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Text from American Catholic - Image source Google Images

What is Epiphany - 3 Kings visit Jesus - #Novena - CMB #Blessing House - SHARE

Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese, 
Visit of the Magi to be baby Jesus
The Solemn Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord, one of the oldest Christian feats, traditionally occurs on January 6, following the 12 days of Christmas.
Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season for the Western Church and commemorates three important scriptural events.
EpiphanyThese are the visit of the Magi to the stable in Bethlehem following the Nativity of Jesus, the baptism of Christ in the River Jordan and the celebration of Christ's first miracle at the wedding feast of Cana many years later.
Although all three are events that are remembered and celebrated by Christians, it is the three kings, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, and their arrival from the East bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the infant Christ that are most closely associated with Epiphany in the Western Church.
In the story, so beloved by children and Catholics everywhere, after seeing the brilliant star in the night sky announcing the birth of the Messiah, the three wise men or Magi, followed the star which took them to Bethlehem. There they visited King Herod of Judea seeking information on where to find the new born king. Not having heard of the arrival of the baby Jesus, and fearing the infant would be a threat to his position as king, Herod instructed the three wise men to seek out the location of the Christ-child and return, to let him know where he was, so that Herod could visit and take him gifts as well.
 The Magi found the infant Jesus and paid tribute to the greatest of all Kings as he lay in his crib in a humble stable but they did not return to reveal his whereabouts to Herod. Instead directed by God in a dream, they returned home by another route.
With no information about the whereabouts of the Messiah, Herod proceeded to have his troops slaughter all infants under the age of two to remove the possible threat to his throne. But as we know, the baby Jesus escaped Herod's murderous intentions.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, January 6 is celebrated as the Nativity of Christ and instead of three kings, the Magi are depicted as 12 in number. But for Western Christians, the Magi are only three in number with each representing one of the world's three main races - African, Asian and European.
Until the Magi's arrival all characters in the Christmas story are Jewish but with the arrival of three Kings, we have the first indication that Jesus and his message are universal and that Christ arrived on earth to preach to the whole world.
Although when most people talk about the 12 days of Christmas the English song of a partridge in a pear tree usually springs to mind. But it is the Feast of Epiphany that the 12th day after Christmas that resonates with Christians and is observed across the world.
The earliest reference to Epiphany (from a Greek verb meaning "to manifest") occurred sometime around 354 AD when the Western Church separated the celebration of the Nativity of Christ as the feast of Christmas and reserved January 6 as the commemoration of the manifestation of Christ, especially to the Magi, as well as his baptism and miracle at the wedding feast of Cana which Ammianus Marcellinus St Epiphanius declared in 361 AD occurred on the same date.
On the Feast of the Epiphany priests wear white vestments. In many countries the Feast is extended from one day to eight days in what is known as the Octave of Epiphany which begins on January 6 and ends on January 13.
In countries, such as Australia, where the Feast of the Epiphany is not regarded as a Holy Day of Obligation, the date of Epiphany varies slightly from year to year and is always celebrated on the first Sunday between that falls between January 2 and January 8.
(SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY)
Epiphany means to manifest. Pious customs among Christians have placed the letters 20CMB14 and the year above door posts relating to the blood on the door posts of the Old Testament. CMB means "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" in Latin - May Christ bless this dwelling place. CMB also stand for the 3 Magi Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.  (Image share from Fr. Trigillio Jr.) 


Novena to the Magi for the Epiphany

DAY 1:
O holy Magi! You were living in continual expectation of the rising of the Star of Jacob, which would announce the birth of the true Sun of justice; obtain for us an increase of faith and charity, and the grace to live in continual hope of beholding one day the light of heavenly glory and eternal joy. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
DAY 2:
O holy Magi! who at the first appearance of the wondrous star left your native country to go and seek the newborn King of the Jews; obtain for us the grace of corresponding with alacrity to every divine inspiration. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. 
DAY 3:
O holy Magi! who regarded neither the severity of the season, nor the inconveniences of the journey that you might find the newborn Messiah; obtain for us the grace not to allow ourselves to be discouraged by any of the difficulties which may meet us on the way of salvation. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. 
DAY 4:
O holy Magi, who, when deserted by the star in the city of Jerusalem, sought humbly, and without human respect, from the rulers of the Church, the place where you might discover the object of your journey; obtain for us grace to have recourse, in faith and humility, in all our doubts and perplexities to the counsel of our superiors, who hold the place of God on earth. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. 
DAY 5:
O holy Magi, who were gladdened by the reappearance of the star which led you to Bethlehem; obtain for us from God the grace, that, remaining always faithful to Him in afflictions, we may be consoled in time by His grace, and in eternity by His glory. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
DAY 6:
O holy Magi, who, entering full of faith into the stable of Bethlehem, prostrated yourselves on the earth, to adore the newborn King of the Jews, though he was surrounded only by signs of poverty and weakness; obtain from the Lord for us a lively faith in the real presence of Jesus in the blessed Sacrament, the true spirit of poverty, and a Christ-like charity for the poor and suffering. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. 
DAY 7:
O holy Magi, who offered to Jesus Christ gold, incense, and myrrh, thereby recognizing Him to be at once King, God, and Man; obtain from the Lord for us the grace never to present ourselves before Him with empty hands; but that we may continually offer to Him the gold of charity, the incense of prayer, and the myrrh of penance and mortification. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
DAY 8:
O holy Magi, who, when warned by an angel not to return to Herd, traveled back to your country be another road; obtain for us from the Lord, the grace that, after having found Him in true repentance, we may avoid all danger of losing Him again. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
DAY 9:
O holy Magi, who were first among the Gentiles called to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and who persevered in the faith till your deaths, obtain for us of the Lord the grace of living always in conformity to our baptismal vows, ever leading to a life of faith; that like you we may attain to the beatific vision of that God Who now is the object of our faith. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.


Free RECIPE FOR 3 KINGS http://jceworld.blogspot.ca/2014/01/catholic-recipe-book-3-kings-cake-for.html