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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

CATHOLIC NEWS WORLD : WED. JAN. 10, 2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VATICAN : POPE : EUCHARIST - AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE OF PRAYER
ASIA : IRAQ : BISHOP RESIDENCE ATTACKED - 2 KILLED
EUROPE : CONFESSION - GOD'S LOVE GREATER THAN SIN
AMERICA : CANADA : PRIME MINISTER CONGRATULATES COLLINS ON APPOINTMENT
AUSTRALIA : PERTH : ARCHBISHOP LAUNCHES NEW VIDEO SERIES
AFRICA : SOMALIA : 250000 AT RISK OF HUNGER
TODAY'S GOSPEL AND MASS ONLINE : WED. JAN. 11, 2012
TODAY'S SAINT : JAN. 11 : ST. THEODOSIUS THE CENOBIARCH
 
VATICAN : POPE : EUCHARIST - AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE OF PRAYER
VIS REPORT: THE PRAYER OF JESUS AT THE LAST SUPPER

VATICAN CITY, 11 JAN 2012 (VIS) - Jesus' prayer during the Last Supper was the theme of Benedict XVI's catechesis during his general audience, which was held this morning in the Paul VI Hall in the presence of 4,000 faithful. (IMAGE SOURCE: RADIO VATICANA)

The Pope explained how the emotional backdrop to the Last Supper, in which Jesus bade farewell to His friends, was the immanence of His approaching death. Moreover, in the days in which He was preparing to leave His disciples, the life of the Jewish people was marked by the approaching Passover, the commemoration of the liberation of Israel from Egypt.

"It was in this context that the Last Supper took place", the Holy Father said, "but with an important novelty". Jesus "wanted the Supper with His disciples to be something special, different from other gatherings. It was His Supper, in which He gave something completely new: Himself. Thus Jesus celebrated the Passover as an anticipation of His Cross and Resurrection".

The essence of the Last Supper lay in "the gestures of breaking and distributing the bread, and sharing the cup of wine, with the words that accompanied them and the context of prayer in which they took place. This was the institution of the Eucharist: the great prayer of Jesus and the Church". The words the Evangelists use to describe that moment "recall the Jewish 'berakha'; that is, the great prayer of thanksgiving and blessing which, in the tradition of Israel, is used to inaugurate important ceremonies. ... That prayer of praise and thanks rises up to God and returns as a blessing. ... The words of the institution of the Eucharist were pronounced in this context of prayer. The praise and thanksgiving of the 'berakha' became blessing and transformed the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus".

Jesus' gestures were the traditional gestures of hospitality which a host would extend to his guests, but in the Last Supper they acquired a more profound significance, Pope Benedict explained. Christ provided "a visible sign of welcome to the table upon which God gives Himself. In the bread and the wine, Jesus offered and communicated His own Self". Aware of His approaching death, "He offered in advance the life that would shortly be taken from Him, thus transforming His violent death into a free act of the giving of Self, for others and to others. The violence He suffered became an active, free and redemptive sacrifice".

"In contemplating Jesus' words and gestures that night, we can clearly see that it was in His intimate and constant relationship with the Father that He accomplished the gesture of leaving to His followers, and to all of us, the Sacrament of love", said the Pope. During the Last Supper Jesus also prayed for His disciples, who likewise had to suffer harsh trials. With that prayer "He supported them in their weakness, their difficulty in understanding that the way of God had to pass through the Paschal mystery of death and resurrection, which was anticipated in the offer of bread and wine. The Eucharist is the food of pilgrims, a source of strength also for those who are tired, weary and disoriented".

Benedict XVI went on: "By participating in the Eucharist we have an extraordinary experience of the prayer which Jesus made, and continues to make for us all, that the evil we encounter in our lives may not triumph, and that the transforming power of Christ's death and resurrection may act within each of us. In the Eucharist the Church responds to Jesus' command to 'do this in remembrance of me', she repeats the prayer of thanksgiving and blessing and, therewith, the words of transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of the Lord. Our Eucharistic celebrations draw us into that moment of prayer, uniting us ever and anew to the prayer of Jesus".

"Let us ask the Lord that, after due preparation also with the Sacrament of Penance, our participation in the Eucharist, which is indispensable for Christian life, may always remain the apex of all our prayers", the Pope concluded. "Let us ask that, profoundly united in His offering to the Father, we too can transform our crosses into a free and responsible sacrifice of love, for God and for our fellows".

At the end of his catechesis the Holy Father delivered greetings in a number of languages to the pilgrims present in the Paul VI Hall, inviting them to participate with "faith and devotion" in the Eucharist which, he said, is indispensable for Christian life as well as being the school and culmination of prayer. Addressing young people, the sick and newlyweds, he pointed our that last Sunday's Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord is an occasion to reflect upon our own Baptism. "Dear young people", the Pope exclaimed, "live your membership of the Church, the family of Christ, joyfully. Dear sick people, may the grace of Baptism ease your sufferings and encourage you to offer them to Christ for the salvation of humanity. And you, dear newlyweds, ... base your marriage on the faith which you received as a gift on the day of your Baptism".
AG/ VIS 20120111 (880)

CUBAN CROCODILE AT THE HOLY FATHER'S GENERAL AUDIENCE

VATICAN CITY, 11 JAN 2012 (VIS) - Among those attending this morning's general audience with the Holy Father were staff of the zoological park in Rome (the "Bioparco"), which is currently celebrating its centenary. They brought with them a rare live specimen of the Cuban crocodile, to represent the 1,200 animals which live in the park and as a sign of the environmental protection and education work the structure carries out.

The Cuban crocodile, which is classified as an endangered species, has seen its numbers fall by 80 per cent in recent years, and it currently survives only in a small area of the island. The young specimen shown to the Pope is being kept in the zoological park for a period of recovery. In March, coinciding with Benedict XVI's apostolic trip to Cuba, it will be returned to its country of origin. In a statement Paolo Giuntarelli, president of the "Bioparco Foundation" said that, "the meeting with the Pope is the most prestigious seal of approval for our first hundred years, and the best possible beginning to a new century of history".
AG/ VIS 20120111 (200)

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, 11 JAN 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience Bishop Gerhard Ludwig Muller of Regensburg, Germany.

Yesterday afternoon he received in audience Cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop of Cologne, Germany.
AP/ VIS 20120111 (40)

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, 11 JAN 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri, apostolic nuncio to Brazil, as secretary of the Congregation for Bishops.

ASIA : IRAQ : BISHOP RESIDENCE ATTACKED - 2 KILLED

ASIA NEWS REPORT: by Joseph Mahmoud
Bishop Sako and his aides are safe. The terrorists were from Baghdad. Two are killed and one arrested. Their target was a Turkmen member of parliament whose home is near the Archbishop’s Palace. Sunni-Shia tensions rise.

Kirkuk (AsiaNews) – At 1.15 pm, two people opened fire against security guards standing in front of the walls that surround the Chaldean Archbishop’s Palace in Kirkuk. Terrorists fired from a white Kia car. The guards fired back immediately. Officers in a police car located about 100 metres from the building also intervened, firing at the terrorists. Two terrorists were killed and one was arrested. Five policemen were wounded.

No one inside the building was wounded. The bishop, who had just returned with a priest after visiting Holy Mary the Virgin Parish Church, was unharmed

No reason has been given for the attack, but police suggest that Jala Niftaji, a Turkmen member of the Iraqi parliament, might have been the target. Her home was attacked three days ago.

Preliminary reports suggest that the terrorists were not from Kirkuk. Identity papers found on the two who were killed indicate they lived in Baghdad.

“The killers could not be from here,” a source in Kirkuk told AsiaNews. “The Archbishop’s Palace is located on a central street, near the Governor’s house. It is well protected with soldiers and police. How could they think that they could carry out the attack? It is obvious they were not well prepared. Their ignorance is also evident from the fact that they fired at the Archbishop’s Palace even though they wanted to attack the home of the Turkmen leader.”

Ms Jala Niftaji is a member of the Iraqi Nationalist List party of Iyad Allawi. For weeks, the party has been at loggerheads with Prime Minister al Maliki and his predominantly Shia party.

Across the country, the situation is worrisome. A power vacuum has developed after al Maliki issued an arrest warrant for Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, a Sunni, for allegedly funding terrorist groups.

Al-Hashemi has rejected all the accusations, and fled to the north, to Iraqi Kurdistan. His party, the Iraqi National Movement (al-Iraqiya List) has been boycotting parliament, accusing al Maliki of trying to monopolise power.

Many analysts fear that the crisis could lead to civil war (see Youssouf al-Bakhtiar, “The conflict between Shiites and Sunnis for the sectarian division of Iraq,” in AsiaNews, 10 January 2012).

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Attack-against-the-Chaldean-Archbishop’s-Palace-in-Kirkuk-23669.html

AMERICA : CANADA : PRIME MINISTER CONGRATULATES COLLINS ON APPOINTMENT

  • PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA RELEASE:

Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the announcement that the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, elevated His Grace, Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, to the College of Cardinals, an international group of principal advisors to the Pontiff:
“The appointment of Thomas Collins to the College of Cardinals is a great honour for His Grace as well as the Archdiocese of Toronto and all members of the Catholic Church across Canada – a testament to his hard work and faithful devotion to the Church and spiritual life.

“The College of Cardinals plays an important leadership role in the Catholic Church. With a long and distinguished career, Cardinal-designate Collins becomes the fourth Cardinal in the 110-year history of the Archdiocese of Toronto and the 16th Cardinal in the history of the Roman Catholic Church in Canada.

“On behalf of our Government, I offer my congratulations to Cardinal-designate Collins as he begins this new phase of his ministry.”
http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=3&featureId=6&pageId=26&id=4564&cachecommand=bypass

EUROPE : CONFESSION - GOD'S LOVE GREATER THAN SIN

CATHOLIC HERALD REPORT:
By Madeleine Teahan on Wednesday, 11 January 2012

The Bishop of Lancaster has launched a Lenten initiative to encourage Catholics to return to Confession.
Bishop Michael Campbell has written to all Catholic schools and parishes to announce the introduction of a co-ordinated weekly Confession on the same day, at the same hour in every church across the diocese.
From February 29 until the Wednesday of Holy Week, every Catholic church in the Diocese of Lancaster will be open from 7pm until 8pm in order for the faithful to go to Confession.
Bishop Campbell said: “During the Lenten season we will invite those who seek to strengthen their relationship with the Lord to join us in this celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Our priests are here to welcome you home, to pray with you, to be of service in the name of Jesus Christ, who offers all of us forgiveness for our sins and the gift of His mercy and love.
“Confession gives us the chance to start over, to hit the ‘reset’ button of our lives. It shows how forgiving and compassionate our God is and it helps us to grow in concern and love for others. Come to Confession this Lent and receive God’s mercy, for peace of mind and to deepen your friendship with Jesus, to receive spiritual healing and to increase your sense of joy and to experience Christ’s saving grace.”
Responding to the concern that many people feel too unworthy to return to Confession, the Bishop of Lancaster said: “God’s love for you is greater than all the sins you’ve committed or could ever commit. Now is the time to come and have God take away the burdens of guilt that can often weigh us down. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to return to the Church or to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, this is your chance to re-establish and strengthen a relationship with God that will last forever”.
A statement from the diocese explains that the “Light is On” programme is a preliminary to the forthcoming Year of Faith, announced by Pope Benedict XVI, which begins in October.
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2012/01/11/bishop-asks-for-hour-of-confession-every-week-in-lent/

AUSTRALIA : PERTH : ARCHBISHOP LAUNCHES NEW VIDEO SERIES

Article and Picture by B Spinks

ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH RELEASE: Children’s welfare, family interests and the rampant drug culture in Perth will be a few of the topics discussed by Perth Catholic Archbishop Barry Hickey in a new video series in an attempt to speak to the broader public.
The weekly video series “A Word for Today’s World with Archbishop Barry Hickey” will appear online by 22 January via The Faith Centre website.
The Faith Centre for Evangelisation and Catholic Culture, the newest centre in the Perth Archdiocese, will produce the video clips and host these on their website www.thefaith.org.au.
Transcripts will also be available once the clip is broadcast online.
http://www.perthcatholic.org.au/news-events/view_article.cfm?loadref=10&id=139

AFRICA : SOMALIA : 250000 AT RISK OF HUNGER

Agenzia Fides REPORT - According to FSNAU (Food Security Analysis Unit, an organization sponsored by the European Commission and by USAID), four million people are in conditions of food insecurity in Somalia, of these, three million people are in the south of the Country. About 250,000 people are in hunger looming. It is estimated that over two thirds of the 250,000 Somalis live in urban areas while the rest are located in rural areas. This is what the sixth Situational Report of Caritas Somalia reports, sent to Fides.
The document recalls that the famine in Somalia has two main causes: the scarcity of rainfall in the previous two seasons (October-December 2010 and April-June 2011) and the lack of a prompt humanitarian response in the south in September-October 2011. This last factor comes from the combination of an inadequate response on behalf of the international community and by the severely limited access to humanitarian assistance in the area because of the policy of the Shabaab.
Southern Somalia is now the scene of fighting between Shabaab and troops of Kenya, officially intervened to put an end to the raids of bandits in the Somali territory. On 28 November, the Shabaab expelled 16 aid agencies and some offices were ransacked. Because of this policy, between 400,000 and 600,000 people in the area will no longer be assisted by humanitarian organizations.
After the drought, heavy rains and floods which hit parts of Somalia. The most affected areas are located in the basin of the river Juba, in southern Somalia (Gedo and Lower Juba). The rains have caused severe floods that have invaded agricultural land causing loss of crops.
The situation in Somalia remains extremely difficult. For 2012, Caritas intends to focus its activities, among others, in the following areas: treatment and prevention of diseases such as cholera; sending food or money to buy food in local markets; drinking water supply and sanitation services, medical and psychological support especially for women and children victims of sexual violence. Among the partners of Caritas Somalia, there are: Caritas Germany and Diakonia Germany, Caritas Switzerland/ Luxembourg; Trocaire and CRS. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 11/01/2012)
http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=30749&lan=eng

TODAY'S GOSPEL AND MASS ONLINE : WED. JAN. 11, 2012


Mark 1: 29 - 39
29 And immediately he left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her.
31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them.
32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons.
33 And the whole city was gathered together about the door.
34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.
36 And Simon and those who were with him pursued him,
37 and they found him and said to him, "Every one is searching for you."
38 And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out."
39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

TODAY'S SAINT : JAN. 11 : ST. THEODOSIUS THE CENOBIARCH

St. Theodosius the Cenobiarch
ABBOT AND FOUNDER
Feast: January 11


Information:
Feast Day: January 11
Born:
423 at Garissus, Cappadocia (modern Turkey)
Died: 529 at Cathismus
St Theodosius was born at Mogariassus, called in latter ages Marissa, in Cappadocia, in 423. He imbibed the first tincture of virtue from the fervent example and pious instructions of his virtuous parents. He was ordained reader, but some time after being moved by Abraham's example to quit his country and friends, he resolved to put this motion in execution. He accordingly set out for Jerusalem, but went purposely out of his road to visit the famous St. Simeon Stylites on his pillar, who foretold him several circumstances of his life, and gave him proper instructions for his behaviour in each. Having satisfied his devotion in visiting the holy places in Jerusalem, he began to consider in what manner he should dedicate himself to God in a religious state. The dangers of living without a guide made him prefer a monastery to a hermitage; and he therefore put himself under the directions of a holy man named Longinus, to whom his virtue soon endeared him in a very particular manner. A pious lady having built a church under the invocation of the Blessed Virgin, on the high road to Bethlehem, Longinus could not well refuse her request that his pupil should undertake the charge of it; but Theodosius, who loved only to obey, could not be induced by any entreaties to consent to this proposal: absolute commands were necessary to force him to a compliance. Nor did he govern long; for dreading the poison of vanity from the esteem of men, he retired into a cave at the top of a neighbouring desert mountain, and employed his time in fasting, watching, prayers, and tears, which almost continually flowed from his eyes. His food was coarse pulse and wild herbs: for thirty years he never tasted so much as a morsel of bread. Many desired to serve God under his direction: he at first determined only to admit six or seven, but was soon obliged to receive a greater number, and at length came to a resolution, which charity extorted from him, never to reject any that presented themselves with dispositions that seemed sincere. The first lesson which he taught his monks was that the continual remembrance of death is the foundation of religious perfection; to imprint this more deeply in their minds, he caused a great grave or pit to be dug, which might serve for the common burial-place of the whole community, that by the presence of this memorial of death, and by continually meditating on that object, they might more perfectly learn to die daily. The burial-place being made, the abbot one day, when he had led his monks to it, said, The grave is made, who will first perform the dedication?" Basil, a priest, who was one of the number, falling on his knees, said to St. Theodosius, "I am the person, be pleased to give me your blessing." The abbot ordered the prayers of the church for the dead to be offered up for him, and on the fortieth day Basil wonderfully departed to our Lord in peace without any apparent sickness. When the holy company of disciples were twelve in number it happened that at the great feast at Easter they had nothing to eat; they had not even bread for the sacrifice: some murmured; the saint bid them trust in God and he would provide; which was soon remarkably verified by the arrival of certain mules loaded with provisions. The lustre of the sanctity and miracles of St. Theodosius drawing great numbers to him who desired to serve God under his direction, his cave was too little for their reception, therefore, having consulted heaven by prayer, he, by its particular direction, built a spacious monastery at a place called Cathismus, not far from Bethlehem, at a small distance from his cave, and it was soon filled with holy monks. To this monastery were annexed three infirmaries: one for the sick, the gift of a pious lady in that neighbourhood; the two others St. Theodosius built himself, one for the aged and feeble, the other for such as had been punished with the loss of their senses, or by falling under the power of the devil, for rashly engaging in a religious state through pride, and without a due dependence on the grace of God to carry them through it. All succours, spiritual and temporal, were afforded in these infirmaries, with admirable order, care, and affection. He erected also several buildings for the reception of strangers, in which he exercised an unbounded hospitality, entertaining all that came, for whose use there were one day above a hundred tables served with provisions: these, when insufficient for the number of guests, were more than once miraculously multiplied by his prayers. The monastery itself was like a city of saints in the midst of a desert, and in it reigned regularity, silence, charity, and peace. There were four churches belonging to it, one for each of the three several nations of which his community was chiefly composed, each speaking a different language; the fourth was for the use of such as were in a state of penance, which those that recovered from their lunatic or possessed condition before-mentioned, were put into, and detained till they had expiated their fault. The nations into which his community was divided were the Greeks, which was by far the most numerous, and consisted of all those that came from any provinces of the empire; the Armenians, with whom were joined the Arabians and Persians; and, thirdly, the Bessi, who comprehended all the northern nations below Thrace, or all who used the Runic or Sclavonian tongue. Each nation sung the first part of the mass to the end of the gospel in their own church, but after the gospel all met in the church of the Greeks, where they celebrated the essential part of the sacrifice in Greek, and communicated all together.
The monks passed a considerable part of the day and night at their devotions in the church, and at the times not set apart for public prayer and necessary rest every one was obliged to apply himself to some trade or manual labour, not incompatible with recollection that the house might be supplied with conveniences. Sallust, Bishop of Jerusalem, appointed St. Sabas superior general of the hermits and our saint of the Cenobites, or religious men living in community throughout all Palestine, whence he was styled the Cenobiarch. These two great servants of God lived in strict friendship, and had frequent spiritual conferences together; they were also united in their zeal and sufferings for the church.
The Emperor Anastasius patronised the Eutychian heresy, and used all possible means to engage our saint in his party. In 513 he deposed Elias, Patriarch of Jerusalem, as he had banished Flavian II, Patriarch of Antioch, and intruded Severus, an impious heretic, into that see, commending the Syrians to obey and hold communion with him. SS. Theodosius and Sabas maintained boldly the right of Elias, and of John his successor; whereupon the imperial officers thought it most advisable to connive at their proceedings, considering the great authority they had acquired by their sanctity. Soon after, the emperor sent Theodosius a considerable sum of money, for charitable uses in appearance, but in reality to engage him in his interest. The saint accepted of it, and distributed it all among the poor. Anastasius, now persuading himself that he was as good as gained over to his cause, sent him a heretical profession of faith, in which the divine and human natures in Christ were confounded into one, and desired him to sign it. The saint wrote him an answer full of apostolic spirit; in which, besides solidly confuting the Eutychian error, he added that he was ready to lay down his life for the faith of the church. The emperor admired his courage and the strength of his reasoning, and, returning him a respectful answer, highly commended his generous zeal, made some apology for his own inconsiderateness, and protested that he only desired the peace of the church. But it was not long ere he relapsed into his former impiety, and renewed his bloody edicts against the orthodox, dispatching troops everywhere to have them put in execution. On the first intelligence of this, Theodosius went over all the deserts and country of Palestine, exhorting every one to be firm in the faith of the four general councils. At Jerusalem, having assembled the people together, he from the pulpit cried out with a loud voice: "If any one receives not the four general councils as the four gospels, let him be anathema." So bold an action in a man of his years inspired with courage those whom the edicts had terrified. His discourses had a wonderful effect on the people, and God gave a sanction to his zeal by miracles: one of these was, that on his going out of the church at Jerusalem, a woman was healed of a cancer on the spot by only touching his garments. The emperor sent an order for his banishment, which was executed; but, dying soon after, Theodosius was recalled by his catholic successor, Justin, who, from a common soldier, had gradually ascended the imperial throne.
Our saint survived his return eleven years, never admitting the least relaxation in his former austerities. Such was his humility that, seeing two monks at variance with each other, he threw himself at their feet, and would not rise till they were perfectly reconciled; and once having excommunicated one of his subjects for a crime, who contumaciously pretended to excommunicate him in his turn, the saint behaved as if he had been really excommunicated, to gain the sinner's soul by this unprecedented example of submission, which had the desired effect. During the last year of his life he was afflicted with a painful distemper, in which he gave proof of a heroic patience, and an entire submission to the will of God. Perceiving the hour of his dissolution at hand, he gave his last exhortations to his disciples, and foretold many things, which accordingly came to pass after his death; this happened in the one hundred and fifth year of his age, and of our Lord 529. Peter, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the whole country, assisted with the deepest sentiments of respect at the solemnity of his interment, which was honoured by miracles. He was buried in his first cell called the Cave of the Magi, because the wise men who came to adore Christ soon after his birth were said to have lodged in it. A certain count being on his march against the Persians, begged the hair shirt which the saint used to wear next his skin, and believed that he owed the victory which he obtained over them to the saint's protection through the pledge of that relic. Both the Romans and Greek calendars mention his festival on the 11th of January.
It is the opinion of St. Gregory the Great that the world is to some persons so full of ambushes and snares, or dangerous occasions of sin, that they cannot be saved but by choosing a safe retreat. Yet there are some who find the greatest dangers in solitude itself; so that it is necessary for every one to sound his own heart, take a survey of his own forces and abilities, and consult God, that he may best be able to learn the designs of his providence with regard to his soul; in doing which, a great purity of intention is the first requisite. Ease and enjoyment must not be the end of Christian retirement, but penance, labour, and assiduous contemplation; without great fervour and constancy in which, close solitude is the road to perdition. If greater safety, or an unfitness for a public station, or a life of much business (in which several are only public nuisances), may be just motives to some for embracing a life of retirement, the means of more easily attaining to perfect virtue may be such to many. Nor do true contemplatives bury their talents, or cease either to be members of the republic of mankind, or to throw in their mite towards its welfare.
From the prayers and thanksgivings which they daily offer to God for the peace of the world, the preservation of the church, the conversion of sinners, and the salvation of all men, doubtless more valuable benefits often accrue to mankind than from the alms of the rich or the labours of the learned. Nor is it to be imagined how far and how powerfully their spirit, and the example of their innocence and perfect virtue, often spread their influence; and how serviceable persons who lead a holy and sequestered life may be to the good of the world; nor how great glory redounds to God by the perfect purity of heart and charity to which many souls are thus raised.

(Taken from Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler)


SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/T/sttheodosiusthecenobiarch.asp#ixzz1jAyxrlAs
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CATHOLIC NEWS WORLD : TUES. JAN. 10, 2012



 

VATICAN : POPE : MODIFICATIONS TO CREATION OF CARDINALS
 ASIA : PHILIPPINES : 8.5 MILLION AT CATHOLIC PROCESSION OF NAZARENE
 EUROPE : GREAT BRITAIN : YOUTH VOLUNTEERS CONFERENCE
AFRICA : NIGERIA : BISHOPS AGAINST FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL
AMERICA : BRAZIL : TRYING TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN
AUSTRALIA : CATHOLIC SCHOOLS HELP KIDS DO BETTER WITH FUNDS  
 TODAY'S GOSPEL AND MASS ONLINE : TUES. JAN. 10, 2012
TODAY'S SAINT : JAN. 10 : ST. WILLIAM OF BOURGES


VATICAN : POPE : MODIFICATIONS TO CREATION OF CARDINALS
MODIFICATIONS TO RITES FOR THE CREATION OF NEW CARDINALS
VIS RELEASES:VATICAN CITY, 10 JAN 2012 (VIS) - The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff has introduced certain modifications to the ordinary public consistories for the creation of new cardinals. The rites followed until now have been revised and simplified, with the Holy Father's approval. The modifications chiefly involve the unification of the three phases: the imposition of the biretta, the consignment of the ring and the assignation of the title or diaconate. The collect and the concluding prayer have been modified, and the proclamation of the Word of God made shorter.
(IMAGE SOURCE: RADIO VATICANA)
On 6 January Benedict XVI announced his intention to create twenty-two new members of the College of Cardinals, on 18 February, in what will be the fourth consistory of his pontificate.

In its announcement the Office of Liturgical Celebrations explains that the liturgical reform which began with Vatican Council II also covered the rites for imposing the biretta and assigning a title to new cardinals during consistories, and that the modified form of the celebration was first used by Paul VI in April 1969. In preparing those new rites the main criterion adopted was that of giving a liturgical setting to a process which, of itself, is not part of the liturgy. The creation of new cardinals had to be inserted into a context of prayer, while at the same time avoiding anything that could give rise to the idea of a "cardinalatial Sacrament". Historically speaking, in fact, consistories have never been considered as a liturgical rite but as a meeting of the Pope with cardinals as part of the governance of the Church.

Bearing in mind these historical aspects, and in continuity with the current form and main elements of consistories, the existing practice has been reviewed and simplified. In the first place, the collect and concluding prayer of the 1969 rite have been recouped, because they are particularly rich and derive from the great Roman tradition of prayer. The two prayers, in fact, speak explicitly of the powers the Lord gave to the Church, in particular that of Peter. The Pope also prays directly for himself, that he may carry out his duties well.

The proclamation of the Word of God will also take a shorter form, as used in the 1969 rite, with a single Gospel reading (Mk 10, 32-45) which is the same in the two rites. Finally, the consignment of the cardinalatial ring will be integrated into a single rite. Prior to the 1969 reform, the red hat was imposed during the public consistory, which was followed by a secret consistory in which the ring was consigned and the title or diaconate assigned. Nowadays the distinction between public and secret consistory is no longer observed and it was deemed more coherent to bring the three phases of the creation of new cardinals together into a single rite. What remains unchanged is the following day's concelebration of Mass by the Pope and the new cardinals, which begins with an expression of homage and gratitude addressed to the Pope by the first of the new cardinals in the name of all the others.
LOR/ VIS 20120110 (530)

ADEQUATE PASTORAL CARE FOR MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES

VATICAN CITY, 10 JAN 2012 (VIS) - The latest edition of the magazine "Migranti Press" contains an article by Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglio, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, for the forthcoming World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The Day is to be celebrated on Sunday 15 January under the theme: "Migrations and New Evangelisation".

Archbishop Veglio highlights the fact that the phenomenon of migration, which involves many different individuals and peoples with their various social, cultural and religious characteristics, is "a process which opens unique opportunities for evangelisation. It offers Christian communities the chance to bear witness to Jesus Christ, especially through respectful dialogue and the concrete witness of solidarity. Migrants can also reawaken drowsy Christian consciences, calling people to a more coherent Christian life".

For this reason the Holy Father's Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees "invites us to ensure that migrants are given adequate pastoral care. Thus they may remain firm in their faith, coherent in their Christian life and powerful witnesses of the Gospel, in order to become authentic announcers of the evangelical 'kerygma'".

Referring to the Pope's Message, Archbishop Veglio notes that "the mass media, because of the immediate impact they have on public opinion, must seriously undertake to supply correct and ample information, avoiding demagogic terminology which is offensive to the image of forced migrants. The contribution of the media is necessary in order to make society aware of new situations, and of the real violations of refugees' rights".

ASIA : PHILIPPINES : 8.5 MILLION AT CATHOLIC PROCESSION OF NAZARENE

ASIA NEWS REPORT: The celebration is held despite fear of attacks. The procession ends after winding its way through the capital’s streets. “Popular devotion was stronger than fear of terrorist threats,” Manila archbishop says.

Manila (AsiaNews) – About 8.5 million Filipino Catholics took part in the ‘Black Nazarene’ procession that ended in Manila’s Quiapo church. Celebrations took place despite government warnings of possible terrorist attacks. Every year, millions of people flock to Manila from all over the country to follow the statue as it is carried for 22 hours through the old streets of the capital. This year, the Archdiocese of Manila sent copies of the Nazarene to the dioceses of Cagayan de Oro, Illigan City and Cotabato (Mindanao) to allow flood victims to organise their own procession.

“This year, popular devotion was stronger because of terrorist threats,” Mgr Antonio Tagle, archbishop of Manila, told AsiaNews. “The organising committee was aware of the danger and in the past few weeks we thought about cancelling the procession. However, many faithful responded to the government’s appeal stressing that fear of possible incidents was nothing compared to Christ’s suffering on the cross. I am convinced that even without our approval, people would have organised the procession anyway.”

Filipinos participate in the celebrations for the Black Nazarene to be closer to Jesus, the prelate explained. “All social classes take part in the procession,” he said, “especially the sick who risk their life in the great mass of people trying to touch the statue in order to obtain a favour. Each year, many people are affected by this show and some convert, especially among the humblest.”

The statue of the Black Nazarene arrived in the Philippines on 31 May 1606 when the first Augustinian missionaries set foot in Manila. Carved in Mexico, it represents the Saviour kneeling under the weight of the cross.

It is believed to be miraculous because it survived the fire that burnt the ship that brought the missionaries to the Philippines.

Over the centuries, the statue survived fires that hit the Quiapo church in 1791 and 1929. It also came through the big earthquakes of 1645 and 1863 as well as World War 2 bombing in 1945. (S.C.)

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/More-than-8.5-million-Filipino-Catholics-take-part-in-Nazarene-procession-in-Manila-23657.html

EUROPE : GREAT BRITAIN : YOUTH VOLUNTEERS CONFERENCE

IND. CATH. NEWS REPORT:
Young Catholic Volunteers conference | Young Volunteers Conference,FLAME Congress,

Volunteers in Flame rehearsal
More than 100 young people working in Youth Ministry Teams from Catholic Retreat Centres and on Outreach Projects in England and Wales gathered on New Year's Day with their Directors and other staff for the annual three day Volunteers Conference in Derbyshire.

The theme of 'Finish the Race', based on St Paul's Second Letter to Timothy, connected with the forthcoming FLAME Congress, which takes place at Wembley Arena on 24 March. During the Conference the young volunteers who will also be attending FLAME took the opportunity to familiarise themselves with a specially commissioned Congress Hymn also based on 2 Timothy. They rehearsed other material that will be used at this inspiring event exploring how faith and sport are related, notably through the Olympic values of Respect, Friendship and Excellence.

The Volunteers Conference was facilitated by Mr David Wells. David is Director of Formation for the RC Diocese of Plymouth where he is responsible for adult education and training. On leaving school, before going to university, David spent a year as a volunteer in a Residential Youth Retreat Centre and over the course of the Conference shared stories of that time and of his teaching career. He helped the volunteers to identify the key issues that Timothy faced in his ministry as a young bishop and how they relate to young peer ministers today, encouraging them to aspire to a greater sense of their own vocation and, like Paul, urging them to keep the faith and finish the race.

The young Youth Ministers, who work with thousands of young people every year, through the celebration of the Eucharist and a variety of Workshops, Prayers, Liturgies and a Ceilidh, were given a fresh energy to their faith just like the young Timothy.

The witness of these young volunteers and the FLAME Congress are sure to present to other young people a vivid and vibrant picture of the national Church.
Source: Youth Ministries

http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=19618

AFRICA : NIGERIA : BISHOPS AGAINST FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL

IBADAN, January 6, 2012 (CISA) –Nigerian catholic bishops from Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have strongly opposed the Nigerian federal government’s move on fuel subsidy.
The bishops said, “It is immoral to impose removal of petroleum subsidy on economically weakened Nigerians while political office holders continue to live in embarrassing opulence.”
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Ibadan Province comprising of Ibadan, Ondo, Oyo, Ilorin, Ekiti, and Osogbo dioceses also said, “The powers of state should never have been used to impose removal of petroleum subsidy without putting in place concrete definable measures to cushion the emasculating effects of such an action on the most vulnerable segments of the Nigerian population.”
According to their press statement sent to CISA the bishops stated, “Before removing the subsidy, the Federal Government alluded to huge irregularities and corruption associated with the provision of petroleum products in Nigeria. It took no action to prosecute anyone as a consequence of its discovery.”
They said that the government took no action to prosecute anyone because of its discovery and took no action to protect or support the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians.
The bishops were concerned that the harsh consequences of the eventual removal of subsidy, has been instantaneous adding that many Nigerians who went to their hometowns and villages to celebrate Christmas and the New Year could not even afford the cost of returning to their places of work.
The clergy advised that the first duty of government is to guarantee the security of life and property of Nigerians adding, “To remove subsidy as a way of forestalling fraud is to punish the already vulnerable and victimized Nigerian consumer.”
They expressed disappointment at the unpopular decision and deplored the fact that economic considerations were prioritized over moral implications and immediate public interests in the timing of the subsidy removal.
SOURCE: http://www.cisanewsafrica.com/?p=3784

AMERICA : BRAZIL : TRYING TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN

Agenzia Fides RELEASE - The murder of an indigenous child of Maranhão, burnt by wood smugglers (madeireiros) in October 2011, has recently provoked the indignation of many Brazilians manifested in social networks. Although in delay, the reaction does not affect an isolated or uncommon case, because every year children and young indigenous are killed across the country.
The killers are not always perpetrated by non-Indians in search of land and wood. Communities where many who have alcohol and drug problems, unfortunately, are often the scene of tragic events, like the murder of an indigenous 9-month-girl, murdered with a machete in November last year. The incident occurred after an argument between the girl's father and other drunken indigenous of the tribe, situated in Minas Gerais.
According to the note sent to Fides by CIMI (Indigenous Missionary Council), the number of indigenous children murdered in 2011 has not yet been defined. However in 2010 CIMI’s report reported that four children were killed, including an 8 year old girl, raped, beaten and killed in the village of Tey Cue, in Mato Grosso do Sul. According to the surveys, one of the girl’s aunt "sold" the girl in exchange for drugs.
In 2009, CIMI reported 11 homicides of minors, including a 9-year-old boy of the Guarani Kaiowa group, raped and killed by a teenager from the same village. In 2008, a girl of the Guajajara was killed with firearms in Maranhao, while watching television at home. In addition to episodes of violence, dozens of indigenous children die each year from poor sanitation, malnutrition and lack of medical care. In January last year, eight children died in the ethnic Xavante in just 15 days, following an attack of pneumonia. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 11/01/2012)
http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=30750&lan=eng

AUSTRALIA : CATHOLIC SCHOOLS HELP KIDS DO BETTER WITH FUNDS

ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE RELEASE:

THE National Catholic Education Commission commented today on reports in the Australian Newspaper and on the ABC regarding government funding for Catholic schools, suggesting that there has been a misrepresentation in the media of how much funding schools receive per student.Catholic-education-commission

Mrs Therese Temby, Chair of the National Catholic Education Commission, said that the reporting is quite misleading as it suggests that Catholic schools receive a higher level of funding than Government schools.

“Recent press comments (The Australian, the ABC website) have misreported government funding for non-government schools, yet the National Report on Schooling in Australia 2009, to which the reports refer actually says : The total [government] funding per student over the past four years…shows government school per student recurrent funding increasing…at a greater rate than that for the non-government school sector (section 8.2 on Government Funding).

The reports in The Australian and on the ABC appear to be based on the journalists’ own analysis of the 2009 National Report data on government funding for schools based on a report by lobbyist Mr Trevor Cobbold”, said Mrs. Temby.

“Mr Cobbold’s brief statement (10 January 2012) admits that he has “converted” and “adjusted” the official data”, she said.

“Using his own adjusted figures, Mr Cobbold claims that Catholic schools are either ‘at least as well resourced’ or ‘significantly better resourced’ than government schools. But there is only one set of consistent, comparable school financial data on which all school authorities, all sectors, all State Education Ministers agree,” said Mrs Temby.

“The financial data on the Australian Government’s MySchool website shows Catholic schools have 10 per cent less net recurrent income per student than do government schools,” she said.

Mrs Temby went on to say that the way in which schools utilise funds is far more important than how much schools receive.

“The crucial issue is how schools spend their funds – how Catholic schools provide ‘value for money’,” said Mrs Temby.

Speaking on the ABC’s PM Program last night, Dr Gary Marks (from the Australian Council for Educational Research) said: “There is an argument that if you compare Catholic schools and government schools, Catholic schools – kids at Catholic schools do better."
http://www.cam.org.au/parish-school-news/catholic-schools-making-good-use-of-government-and-family-fund.html

TODAY'S GOSPEL AND MASS ONLINE : TUES. JAN. 10, 2012


Mark 1: 21 - 28

21 And they went into Caper'na-um; and immediately on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.
22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.
23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit;
24 and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God."
25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!"
26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.
27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him."
28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

TODAY'S SAINT : JAN. 10 : ST. WILLIAM OF BOURGES

St. William of Bourges
CISTERCIAN BISHOP
Feast: January 10


Information:
Feast Day: January 10
Born:
12th century in Nevers, France
Died: 10 January 1209 at Bourges, France
Canonized: 17 May 1217 by Pope Honorius III
Ciscertian bishop, also called William of Dongeon. He was born at Nevers, France, and studied under his uncle, Peter, the archdeacon of Soissons, before receiving ordination and appointment as a cannon of Soissons. He helpd the same post in Paris adn then entered the monastery of Grandmont, transferring to the Cistercian community at Pontigny. In succeeding years, he was abbot of Fontaine-Jean, in Sens; abbot of Chalis, near Senlis; and bishop of Bourges, receiving consecration in 1200. The last office he was compelled to take at the behest of Pope Innocent III (r. 1198-1216). As bishop, he distinguished himself by his austerities, concern for the poor, the defense of the rights of the Church against the French crown, and his success in converting many members of the Albigensian heresy. He was canonized by Pope Honorius III (r. 1216-1227).

(Taken from Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints)
SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/W/stwilliamofbourges.asp#ixzz1jADAtO9I