VATICAN : POPE : RECOGNIZES HEROIC VIRTUES OF FULTON SHEEN - ARCHBISHOP
RADIO VATICANA REPORT:
(Vatican Radio) Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday signed a decree recognizing the heroic virtue of the Servant of God, Archbishop Fulton John Sheen, allowing him to be styled as Venerable. This is the second major step in the process of his cause for canonization. Archbishop Sheen was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, in 1919. He served the Church in Peoria for more than three decades, before being appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York in 1951, and became the Bishop of Rochester, NY in 1966. During his years of service, he became the leading religious radio and television personality in the United States, while continuing to publish books and articles prolifically.
Bishop Daniel Jenky of Peoria told Vatican Radio the declaration gives US Catholics renewed confidence in a timely intercessor. “I believe [Ven. Fulton Sheen] is the perfect person to emulate in our current grave difficulties,” said Bishop Jenky, citing Sheen’s successful engagement with the culture at a time when National Socialism, the Great Depression, the Communist threat and growing moral challenges from many different quarters. “[Sheen] was not afraid to confront what was wrong,” Bishop Jenky said. “He would dialogue with the world,” he explained, “but – I also know – he had steel in him.”
(Vatican Radio) Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday signed a decree recognizing the heroic virtue of the Servant of God, Archbishop Fulton John Sheen, allowing him to be styled as Venerable. This is the second major step in the process of his cause for canonization. Archbishop Sheen was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, in 1919. He served the Church in Peoria for more than three decades, before being appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York in 1951, and became the Bishop of Rochester, NY in 1966. During his years of service, he became the leading religious radio and television personality in the United States, while continuing to publish books and articles prolifically.
Bishop Daniel Jenky of Peoria told Vatican Radio the declaration gives US Catholics renewed confidence in a timely intercessor. “I believe [Ven. Fulton Sheen] is the perfect person to emulate in our current grave difficulties,” said Bishop Jenky, citing Sheen’s successful engagement with the culture at a time when National Socialism, the Great Depression, the Communist threat and growing moral challenges from many different quarters. “[Sheen] was not afraid to confront what was wrong,” Bishop Jenky said. “He would dialogue with the world,” he explained, “but – I also know – he had steel in him.”
SHARED FROM RADIO VATICANA
EUROPE : ORDINARIATE FORCED TO RETURN MILLION DOLLAR GRANT
CATHOLIC HERALD REPORT:
By Mark
Greaves on Thursday, 28 June 2012
The donation was intended to keep
the ordinariate afloat in its early days (Photo: Mazur)
The Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham has
returned a £1 million grant to an Anglo-Catholic charity after the Charity
Commission ruled that it was invalid.
The Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, founded in 1862, gave the money a year ago to ensure that the ordinariate’s priests would not be left penniless. It represented almost half of the charity’s assets.
The Charity Commission, however, said the grant was invalid because most of the trustees who agreed to it had a “personal financial interest” in it. Five out of six of its trustees had already been ordained as priests in the ordinariate.
The commission also ruled that there was “substantial doubt” over whether use of the money would be consistent with the charity’s objects – ”the advancement of the Catholic faith in the Anglican tradition”.
The ruling contradicts the advice lawyers gave to the charity before it approved the grant.
The Charity Commission concluded: “We have been informed that the grant has been returned in full (with interest) by the ordinariate of its own volition.”
The Confraternity has about 120 Anglican clergy members in England and 1,500 worldwide. It was founded by the Rev T T Carter, a prominent Anglo-Catholic.
SHARED FROM CATHOLIC HERALD
The Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, founded in 1862, gave the money a year ago to ensure that the ordinariate’s priests would not be left penniless. It represented almost half of the charity’s assets.
The Charity Commission, however, said the grant was invalid because most of the trustees who agreed to it had a “personal financial interest” in it. Five out of six of its trustees had already been ordained as priests in the ordinariate.
The commission also ruled that there was “substantial doubt” over whether use of the money would be consistent with the charity’s objects – ”the advancement of the Catholic faith in the Anglican tradition”.
The ruling contradicts the advice lawyers gave to the charity before it approved the grant.
The Charity Commission concluded: “We have been informed that the grant has been returned in full (with interest) by the ordinariate of its own volition.”
The Confraternity has about 120 Anglican clergy members in England and 1,500 worldwide. It was founded by the Rev T T Carter, a prominent Anglo-Catholic.
SHARED FROM CATHOLIC HERALD
AUSTRALIA : VOCATIONS EXPO 2012 - SCENE
ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY REPORT:
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
29 Jun 2012
Live
music featuring popular singer-songwriter Vanessa Trujillo, Pittwater's SOUL
Band and great rock groups from Youth For Christ and the Immaculata Community
along with a host of other super-talented performers are just a few of the
attractions lined up for next month's week-long SCENE - the Sydney Congress
Embracing the New Evangelism.
Starting on Wednesday, 11 July SCENE builds on the energy and enthusiasm of last year's World Youth Day (WYD) in Madrid, and will once again include a three-day Vocations Expo in Martin Place.
Held for the first time as part of Sydney's WYD in 2008, the Vocations Expo is a key feature of SCENE and this year will include 40 different stalls to showcase a wide range of Catholic communities, resources, organisations and educational institutions. In addition, there will be live music daily, a lunchtime sausage sizzle and for coffee lovers, real cappuccinos brewed by a team of Capuchin Friars.
"Over the past few years there has been an increase in priestly vocations as well as a renewed interest among women in consecrated life," says Fr Michael de Stoop, the Archdiocese of Sydney's Director of Vocations.
In the past
three years 20 young women from Sydney have entered religious communities.
Vocations for the priesthood are also on the rise. Since 2006, 36 men have begun
their priestly studies at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd, Homebush or the
Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary, Chester Hill.
"At each Vocations Expo one of the most common remarks from people is that they had no idea that there were so many religious communities," says Fr Michael.
At this year's Expo representatives from a wide range of communities will be on hand to answer questions and provide detailed follow-up information. Among those who will host their own stalls will be members of the Divine Word Missionaries, the Franciscans Friar Minor, the Little Company of Mary, the Little Sisters of the Poor, the Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary, the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, the Ignatian family, the Dominican Sisters of St Cecelia, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, St Columban's Mission, the Society of Jesus and the Capuchin Friars Minor.
In addition there will be stalls hosted by the Australian Catholic University, the University of Notre Dame, Campion College, the Catholic Adult Education Centre, the Catholic Education Office and the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family.
Also on hand at Vocations Expo 2012 will be members of the
Archdiocese of Sydney's Catechumenate Office and the Confraternity of Christian
Doctrine.
Another stall at the Expo will be run by staff and volunteers of the St Vincent de Paul Society who will give details on the wide range of services offered by Vinnies, ranging from the Society's homeless services to its work with youth and employment, refugee services and counselling support for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and family breakdown.
With the arts given a special focus at this year's SCENE and featuring many of the special pub nights and workshops being held throughout the festival, the three-day Expo in Martin Place will also have stalls hosted by Artes Christi, the Catholic Weekly and Love One Another Magazine and the Mustard Seed Bookshop.
For the business-minded, Catholic Super are also operating a stall and for the whole family, the Archdiocese of Sydney's Life, Marriage and Family will be on hand along with stalls hosted by the Australian Family Association, and Couples for Christ.
"SCENE attracts thousands each year with the Vocations Expo an important element of the week- long festival," says Fr Michael admitting that for him, the three-day Expo is exciting, challenging and stimulating.
"The Expo is a wonderful opportunity for us to interact with Sydneysiders of all ages at a grass roots level," he says.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
29 Jun 2012
Music a compoennt of SCENE
Starting on Wednesday, 11 July SCENE builds on the energy and enthusiasm of last year's World Youth Day (WYD) in Madrid, and will once again include a three-day Vocations Expo in Martin Place.
Held for the first time as part of Sydney's WYD in 2008, the Vocations Expo is a key feature of SCENE and this year will include 40 different stalls to showcase a wide range of Catholic communities, resources, organisations and educational institutions. In addition, there will be live music daily, a lunchtime sausage sizzle and for coffee lovers, real cappuccinos brewed by a team of Capuchin Friars.
"Over the past few years there has been an increase in priestly vocations as well as a renewed interest among women in consecrated life," says Fr Michael de Stoop, the Archdiocese of Sydney's Director of Vocations.
Fr Michael de Stoop with students at
University of Notre Dame
"At each Vocations Expo one of the most common remarks from people is that they had no idea that there were so many religious communities," says Fr Michael.
At this year's Expo representatives from a wide range of communities will be on hand to answer questions and provide detailed follow-up information. Among those who will host their own stalls will be members of the Divine Word Missionaries, the Franciscans Friar Minor, the Little Company of Mary, the Little Sisters of the Poor, the Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary, the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, the Ignatian family, the Dominican Sisters of St Cecelia, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, St Columban's Mission, the Society of Jesus and the Capuchin Friars Minor.
In addition there will be stalls hosted by the Australian Catholic University, the University of Notre Dame, Campion College, the Catholic Adult Education Centre, the Catholic Education Office and the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family.
Martin Place this year will once again host a
Vocations Expo and lunchtime performances
celebrating the joy of Christ and the Christian
faith
Another stall at the Expo will be run by staff and volunteers of the St Vincent de Paul Society who will give details on the wide range of services offered by Vinnies, ranging from the Society's homeless services to its work with youth and employment, refugee services and counselling support for victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and family breakdown.
With the arts given a special focus at this year's SCENE and featuring many of the special pub nights and workshops being held throughout the festival, the three-day Expo in Martin Place will also have stalls hosted by Artes Christi, the Catholic Weekly and Love One Another Magazine and the Mustard Seed Bookshop.
For the business-minded, Catholic Super are also operating a stall and for the whole family, the Archdiocese of Sydney's Life, Marriage and Family will be on hand along with stalls hosted by the Australian Family Association, and Couples for Christ.
"SCENE attracts thousands each year with the Vocations Expo an important element of the week- long festival," says Fr Michael admitting that for him, the three-day Expo is exciting, challenging and stimulating.
"The Expo is a wonderful opportunity for us to interact with Sydneysiders of all ages at a grass roots level," he says.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
ASIA : PAKISTAN : CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM GROUP HELPS POOR WITH THEATRE
ASIA NEWS REPORT:
by Joseph Laldin
Chanan Development Association, since 2004, helping dozens of young people across the country to restore meaning to life through theater. Born out of collaboration between Christians and Muslims, the association also provides educational programs to help the most disadvantaged.
Lahore (AsiaNews) - "I lost my mother when I was three. A year after my father abandoned me and left me alone"; this is the moving story of Shama, a Christian girl of 22, saved by the work of Chanan Development Association (CDA), an association founded in 2004 by collaboration between Muslims and Christians to help dozens of orphans to restore meaning to their lives through theater , but mainly through the sharing of life experiences. After the tragic loss of her parents, Shama was raised by her older brothers and sisters. Her life changed several years ago when she met with CDA operators who invited her to play with other young people in the company. The girl had been forced to interrupt her studies because of the economic circumstances of her family. However, she is optimistic. "Now I am an actress and this helps me - she says - but in future I would like to become a professional beautician."
The Chanan Development Association is a 'secular non-profit association founded in 2004 by Muhammad Shahzad, a young Muslim who chose to dedicate his life to more underprivileged children. Like many millions of young Pakistanis Muhammad clashed head on at just 12 years of age with the harsh reality of Pakistan's Islamic traditions. In his early teens he held a hunger strike against the forced marriage of the sister of 15 years with a man of 50. That gesture struck his family and later the whole community of his village, including the absurdity of the gesture, pushing his father to renounce marriage losing, for the sake of his children, even the potential economic gains. After this experience, at the age of 20, Muhammad decided to create an association able to tell through eyewitness accounts the harsh reality of many families and young Pakistanis.
Together with some friends founded the Board of Directors, helping thousands of orphans through theater and young people in difficulty, giving them the opportunity to tell their own story, but also to exploit and utilize their knowledge, skills and expertise to improve their status in society. To achieve its objectives CDA has initiated four programs named "Happy", a program for active youth participation in socially disadvantaged contexts, "Welcome", which aims to empower young women by giving them education and instruction; "Help" an initiative to offer support to single mothers and street children.
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS
by Joseph Laldin
Chanan Development Association, since 2004, helping dozens of young people across the country to restore meaning to life through theater. Born out of collaboration between Christians and Muslims, the association also provides educational programs to help the most disadvantaged.
Lahore (AsiaNews) - "I lost my mother when I was three. A year after my father abandoned me and left me alone"; this is the moving story of Shama, a Christian girl of 22, saved by the work of Chanan Development Association (CDA), an association founded in 2004 by collaboration between Muslims and Christians to help dozens of orphans to restore meaning to their lives through theater , but mainly through the sharing of life experiences. After the tragic loss of her parents, Shama was raised by her older brothers and sisters. Her life changed several years ago when she met with CDA operators who invited her to play with other young people in the company. The girl had been forced to interrupt her studies because of the economic circumstances of her family. However, she is optimistic. "Now I am an actress and this helps me - she says - but in future I would like to become a professional beautician."
The Chanan Development Association is a 'secular non-profit association founded in 2004 by Muhammad Shahzad, a young Muslim who chose to dedicate his life to more underprivileged children. Like many millions of young Pakistanis Muhammad clashed head on at just 12 years of age with the harsh reality of Pakistan's Islamic traditions. In his early teens he held a hunger strike against the forced marriage of the sister of 15 years with a man of 50. That gesture struck his family and later the whole community of his village, including the absurdity of the gesture, pushing his father to renounce marriage losing, for the sake of his children, even the potential economic gains. After this experience, at the age of 20, Muhammad decided to create an association able to tell through eyewitness accounts the harsh reality of many families and young Pakistanis.
Together with some friends founded the Board of Directors, helping thousands of orphans through theater and young people in difficulty, giving them the opportunity to tell their own story, but also to exploit and utilize their knowledge, skills and expertise to improve their status in society. To achieve its objectives CDA has initiated four programs named "Happy", a program for active youth participation in socially disadvantaged contexts, "Welcome", which aims to empower young women by giving them education and instruction; "Help" an initiative to offer support to single mothers and street children.
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS
AFRICA : ZAMBIA : ARCHBISHOP EMPHASIZES LAY INVOLVEMENT
CISA REPORT:
KASAMA, June 29, 2012 (CISA) – A Zambian archbishop has emphasized the importance of the laity involvement in spreading the Catholic faith in his country.
Archbishop Ignatius Chama of the northern Zambian city of Kasama said that lay people “witness to the faith” in their workplaces and homes.
During a visit to Aid to the Church In Need’s headquarters in Koenigstein, Germany, the bishop said that lay catechists are “leading the Church forward” in the absence of priests.
“For example, in the Diocese of Mpika there are about 75 catechists at prayer centers, which are organized like parishes but do not have priests. The catechists ensure that the catechism is taught at the centers and that people have access to the sacraments when a priest comes,” he said.
Lay associations and movements are also creating initiatives to ensure the progress of the Church. The Legion of Mary, the Catholic Family Movement, the Society of St Vincent de Paul and various Third Orders of religious congregations are all at work in Zambia.
The archbishop noted that the first and second African bishops’ synods have stressed the “cardinal” role of the laity to evangelization.
Some areas of Zambia have been evangelized for a century, while other areas still have not heard the gospel.
“The Catholic Church in the country needs human and material resources to advance evangelization,” added Archbishop Chama. He particularly cited the need for means of transport and formation of seminarians, religious sisters and catechists.
According to EWTN News, the archbishop praised Aid to the Church in Need and its donors for its contributions to meet these needs.
The international Catholic pastoral charity is working in about 130 countries around the world.
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS
KASAMA, June 29, 2012 (CISA) – A Zambian archbishop has emphasized the importance of the laity involvement in spreading the Catholic faith in his country.
Archbishop Ignatius Chama of the northern Zambian city of Kasama said that lay people “witness to the faith” in their workplaces and homes.
During a visit to Aid to the Church In Need’s headquarters in Koenigstein, Germany, the bishop said that lay catechists are “leading the Church forward” in the absence of priests.
“For example, in the Diocese of Mpika there are about 75 catechists at prayer centers, which are organized like parishes but do not have priests. The catechists ensure that the catechism is taught at the centers and that people have access to the sacraments when a priest comes,” he said.
Lay associations and movements are also creating initiatives to ensure the progress of the Church. The Legion of Mary, the Catholic Family Movement, the Society of St Vincent de Paul and various Third Orders of religious congregations are all at work in Zambia.
The archbishop noted that the first and second African bishops’ synods have stressed the “cardinal” role of the laity to evangelization.
Some areas of Zambia have been evangelized for a century, while other areas still have not heard the gospel.
“The Catholic Church in the country needs human and material resources to advance evangelization,” added Archbishop Chama. He particularly cited the need for means of transport and formation of seminarians, religious sisters and catechists.
According to EWTN News, the archbishop praised Aid to the Church in Need and its donors for its contributions to meet these needs.
The international Catholic pastoral charity is working in about 130 countries around the world.
SHARED FROM CISA NEWS
AMERICA : CANADA FOUNDER MARIE FITZBACH - HEROIC VIRTUES
CCCB REPORT:
Marie-Josephte Fitzbach (1806 – 1885), a Canadian widow and
founder of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, more commonly known
as in Quebec as the Sœurs du Bon-Pasteur (the Good Shepherd Sisters), has been
recognized by the Church for her heroic virtues. The decree was recently
authorized by the Holy Father during a private audience with Cardinal Angelo
Amato, S.D.B., Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Her cause
for Beatification has been under study by the Holy See since
1997.
Marie-Josephte Fitzbach was born October 16, 1806, in the village of St-Vallierde Bellechasse , Quebec Quebec City Cap-Santé , Quebec
On February 2, 1856, the group, known as the “Bon-Pasteur de Québec “, was established as a religious community of women. Marie-Josephte Fitzbach took the name of Mother Marie-du-Sacré-Cœur, and shortly after became its first superior. She died on September 1, 1885.
SHARED FROM BISHOPS OF CANADA
 |
Marie-Josephte Fitzbach (1806 – 1885), a Canadian widow and
founder of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, more commonly known
as in Quebec as the Sœurs du Bon-Pasteur (the Good Shepherd Sisters), has been
recognized by the Church for her heroic virtues. The decree was recently
authorized by the Holy Father during a private audience with Cardinal Angelo
Amato, S.D.B., Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Her cause
for Beatification has been under study by the Holy See since
1997.Marie-Josephte Fitzbach was born October 16, 1806, in the village of St-Vallier
On February 2, 1856, the group, known as the “Bon-Pasteur de Québec “, was established as a religious community of women. Marie-Josephte Fitzbach took the name of Mother Marie-du-Sacré-Cœur, and shortly after became its first superior. She died on September 1, 1885.
SHARED FROM BISHOPS OF CANADA
TODAY'S MASS ONLINE SATURDAY JUNE 30, 2012
| Matthew
8: 5 - 17
| |
| 5 | As he entered Caper'na-um, a centurion came forward to him, beseeching him |
| 6 | and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress." |
| 7 | And he said to him, "I will come and heal him." |
| 8 | But the centurion answered him, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. |
| 9 | For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, `Go,' and he goes, and to another, `Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, `Do this,' and he does it." |
| 10 | When Jesus heard him, he marveled, and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. |
| 11 | I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, |
| 12 | while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth." |
| 13 | And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; be it done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment. |
| 14 | And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever; |
| 15 | he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and served him. |
| 16 | That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. |
| 17 | This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, "He took our infirmities and bore our diseases." |
TODAY'S SAINT : JUNE 30 : PROTOMARTYRS OF ROME
Protomartyrs of Rome
Feast: June 30
 Information:
|
|
Many martyrs who suffered
death under Emperor Nero (r. 54-68). Owing to their executions durin the reign
of Nero, they are called the Neronian Martyrs, and they are also termed "the
Protomartys of Rome," being honored by the site in the Vatican City called the
Piazza of the Protomartyrs. These early Christians were disciples of the
Apostles, and they endured hideous tortures and ghastly deaths following the
burning of Rome in the infamous fire of 62. Their dignity in suffering, and
their fervor to the end, did not provide Nero or the Romans with the public
diversion desired. Instead, the faith was firmly planted in the Eternal City.
(Taken from Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints) |
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