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Thursday, May 31, 2012

CATHOLIC NEWS WORLD : THURSDAY MAY 31, 2012


Vatican City, 31 may (VIS).- Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for June is: “That believers may recognize in the Eucharist the living presence of the Risen One who accompanies them in daily life”.
His missionary intention is: "That Christians in Europe may rediscover their true identity and participate with greater enthusiasm in the proclamation of and participate with more enthusiasm in the Gospel". (RADIO VATICANA IMAGE)


HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE DIRECTOR: THIS IS THE MOMENT FOR FULL SOLIDARITY WITH THE POPE
Vatican City, 31 May 2012 (VIS) - Yesterday, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., director of the Holy See Press Office, held a meeting with journalist to answer questions on the publication of reserved Vatican documents, an act for which the Pope's personal assistant has been arrested.
Regarding the questions on the pope's possible resignation, a hypothesis maintained by various media outlets, Fr. Lombardi affirmed that those were baseless creations of some journalists, which have no foundation in reality. The Curia has expressed its solidarity with the pontiff and continues to work in full communion with the Successor of Peter: "This is precisely the moment in which to demonstrate esteem and appreciation for the Holy Father and the service he carries out; to show full solidarity with him and thus, to demonstrate communion, unity, and coherence with how this situation is dealt with".
Fr. Lombardi emphasized that it is important that communication regarding this sorrowful event for the Pope and the Church be inspired by rigorous criteria for the truth: "It seems to me", he said, "that there is a line of desire for truth and clarity, a desire for transparency that, although it will take time, continues forward. I thus honestly believe that we are trying to handle this new situation: We are seeking the truth, and trying to objectively understand what may have happened. First, however, it is necessary to be sure to have understood it, in respect for persons and the truth".
Fr. Lombardi explained to the journalists that it will be necessary to wait for a complete picture of the situation, since the investigations and formal questioning are still at a preliminary stage. The agencies involved at this stage are the Vatican magistrate and a Commission of Cardinals.
The director of the Holy See Press Office also explained that yesterday morning the single defendant, Paolo Gabriele, met with his lawyers who will probably request monitored surveillance or house arrest for their client. At the same time, Fr. Lombardi denied details published in the media such as that packets of documents prepared to be sent to specific recipients were found in Gabriele's house. The material found in the personal assistant's possession is already being studied and catalogued, Fr. Lombardi said.

CELEBRATIONS FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
Vatican City, 31 May 2012 (VIS) - On the solemnity of Corpus Christi next Thursday, 7 June at 7:00pm, the Holy Father will celebrate Mass in the basilica of St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome, of which the pope is bishop. The Pope will then preside over the Eucharistic procession to the Basilica of St. Mary Major that will travel along Via Merulana. Those taking part in the procession will include the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, confraternities and sodalities, Eucharistic associations, religious, children receiving First Communion, seminarians, priests, representatives of various parishes, chaplains and prelates of His Holiness, bishops and archbishops, cardinals, and faithful belonging to ecclesial movements and associations.

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
Vatican City, 31 May 2012 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father nominated:
- Msgr. Fausto Ramon Mejia Vallejo as bishop of San Francisco de Macoris (area 3,682, population 753,000, Catholics 599,000, priests 60, religious 72, permanent deacons 92), Dominican Republic. The bishop-elect was born in Bejucal, Dominican Republic and was ordained a priest in 1972. He has served as rector of the Santo Cura de Ars Minor Seminary in La Vega, as spiritual director and catechesis instructor for permanent deacons, and as professor in the theology department as well as rector of the Santo Tomas de Aquino Pontifical Seminary. Currently he is the rector of the Cibao Catholic Technological University (UCATECI) in Santo Domingo. He succeeds Bishop Jesus Maria de Jesus Moya, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
- Bishop Benedetto Tuzia as bishop of the diocese of Orvieto-Todi (area 1,310, population 93,500, Catholics 90,650, priests 132, religious 295, permanent deacons 22), Italy. He was previously Auxiliary Bishop of Rome, Italy.

AMERICA : ABBY JOHNSON ORGANIZATION FOR FORMER ABORTION WORKERS


The famous former Planned Parenthood worker Abby Johnson has launched a new organization to help those involved in the abortion industry get out. The new initiative is called "AND THEN THERE WERE NONE" with a website set to launch in June : http://www.attwn.org/
Their Facebook page provides the following information:
We are here to provide financial, legal, spiritual and emotional support to all those who would like to leave the abortion industry.
Aufgabe
NO ABORTION CLINIC WORKERS,
NO ABORTION CLINICS,
NO ABORTIONS.
It starts with the workers.


And Then There Were None
Unternehmensübersicht
And Then There Were None (ATTWN) is a registered non-profit corporation based in Austin, Texas that provides support for employees who wish to transition from the abortion services industry to another career. Many employees of abortion clinics find themselves trapped in jobs they do not want, but they cannot leave due to personal financial constraints. Many cannot afford to quit their jobs and l...ive without a paycheck while pursuing a new career. As a result, the gap between an uncomfortable job and another career path may be financially unbearable.


ATTWN provides choices for employees of abortion clinics. ATTWN supports disenchanted employees of abortion clinics who wish to leave immediately to pursue other career opportunities by providing financial and other transitional services.
ATTWN will provide financial, emotional, spiritual and legal support to anyone wishing to leave the abortion industry. Our ministry will offer the following:

- Up to three months of financial support after a worker resigns
- Emotional support during the transition time
- A spiritual advisor of the former worker's choosing
- Free legal counsel to protect the worker's interests during transition

EUROPE : POP BAND OOBERFUSE SINGLE ON VOCATIONS

CATHOLIC HERALD REPORT:
By Marin Thomas on Monday, 28 May 2012
The band ooberfuse performed at World Youth Day last year
An electro-pop band have released a single in support of the English and Welsh Church’s new vocations drive.
Fr Christopher Jamison OSB, director of the National Office for Vocation, commissioned the band ooberfuse to write the soundtrack for the Church’s new vocations framework. Their song, Call my name, can be heard here and comes from their forthcoming album Seventh Wave, to be released in August.
Fr Jamison described the single as a “wonderful gift given to the Church. The words are poetic and inspired, worthy of the psalms.”
The song comes after their previous single, Heart’s Cry, which was the youth anthem for the papal visit to Britain in September 2010.
Hal St John from the band described the task as a “challenge” since the song had to capture “the essence of something as sacred and as intimate as being spoken to and summoned by God in the deepest recesses of our hearts”.
He said: “When God speaks to us he does so in a strange and other worldly language that it is sometimes hard if not altogether impossible to render into intelligible words. His gentle yet persistent call cuts through the clamour and roar of contemporary life treading as softly as dove’s footsteps. For some pop music is part of the noise that drowns out the sound of divinity, desensitising us to the transcendent. On the face of it, it seems incongruous that pop music, especially dub-step, should be used to heighten our awareness of God’s call to each one of us.”
Cherrie Anderson, the band’s lead singer, said after writing the song she realised that Cheryl Cole also planned to release a single with the same name. “This is a weird and uncanny coincidence,” she said. “Whereas her song is about her lover calling out her name, our song is about God calling out our name, summoning us to a higher life in which we fulfil our holy and God-given destinies.”
SHARED FROM http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2012/05/28/pop-band-release-single-in-support-of-vocations-drive/

AUSTRALIA : COLLEGE CELEBRATES 125 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE RELEASE:
By Jodie McLeod, St Aloysius College

In celebration of 125 years of Educating Young Women, the community of St Aloysius College, North Melbourne—past and present—gathered to mark this special occasion on Sunday 29 April. St Patrick’s Cathedral was filled with approximately 1500 people to share their memories and reflect on the important role St Aloysius College has played in their life.

Many past students, Sisters of Mercy, teaching staff and current students and their families filled the Cathedral for this celebration. Mr John Davidson, the current Principal at St Aloysius College acknowledged the role the Sisters of Mercy have played in the formation and development of the College.

In his address during the ceremony, John said, “For the past 125 years, women, just like those here today, have sought a Catholic education that is enriched by a knowledge and love of God, one that empowers them to be strong, resilient women, women who are able to take up any role or position in our world and yet are keenly aware of those who need our concern and help.”

“Our College motto Strive for Higher Things gives meaning to all we seek to achieve and continues to be born anew in each generation that becomes part of this great St Aloysius community and tradition,” he said.

Past Principals Sr. Helen Delaney RSM, Sr. Frances Baker RSM and Sr. Joan Thomas RSM, joined with John to reflect on the many changes that have shaped the College in its 125 year history.

Long serving staff and current students presented a range of material from the archives of the College, each item representing the changes and developments that have been made over the past 125 years. Old uniforms, slate tablets and memorabilia were placed at the altar to signify the past. The current College banner was proudly presented alongside a banner from the 1930’s, demonstrating the rich history of the College.

The College choir filled the Cathedral with beautiful hymns and prayers to mark the occasion. A sense of pride was felt by all who sat within the Cathedral as we shared in the celebration and recalled our own memories of our association with the College. Past students from many years joined in the celebration, with special acknowledgement to past student Mrs Elspeth Mary Norton, who was a student at the College in 1919 through to 1922. Mrs Norton recalled fondly her time at St Aloysius College and was thrilled to return for this special occasion.

On conclusion of the mass, many people moved to the College grounds in North Melbourne to share afternoon tea and watch student performances. A selection of old photos and memorabilia were on display as people happily mingled and recalled their special memories. People wandered the halls and grounds as they recalled their time at the College. A sense of pride and friendship filled the College as people fondly reminisced. Each year the College conducts an annual reunion for past students. As 2012 marks the 125th year, this annual reunion will be even more special.

For more information about the reunion or future events for past students, please contact St Aloysius College on 9329 0411 or visit www.aloysius.vic.edu.au

Photos courtesy St Aloysius College

AFRICA : DEM. REP. OF CONGO : 80000 DISPLACED BY FIGHTING

Agenzia Fides REPORT - For two weeks the fighting between the national army of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and rebels of the Movement of March 23 (M23) have been concentrated on three hills: Mbuzi, Chanzu and Runyonyi, in the territory of Rutshuru (North Kivu), near the border with Uganda and Rwanda, forcing civilians to flee. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, there are almost 80,000 people who have left their villages to escape the fighting. The rebels claim to have deserted the army and founded a new armed movement because, in their opinion, the government did not stick to the commitments made in previous agreements.
"If it has to do with political demands, it should be noted that the CNDP, from which the rebels of M 23 derive, has been recognized as a political party, a member of the Presidential Majority. It is within that platform that the rebels should have submitted their claims, without taking up arms," said an editorial sent to Fides Agency from the Peace Network for Congo, established by missionaries working in the country.
"If it has to do with military claims (salaries, logistics, recognition of stripes), the rebels of today had been integrated into the national army, according to previous agreements and, therefore, should refer to the top of the military hierarchy. In any case, any claim, even if just, it does not legitimate recourse to arms. It is therefore reasonable to suspect that, under certain official claims of M 23, there are some hidden intentions " continue the missionaries of Peace Network for Congo.
In reality, the reasons given by the military deserters are only excuses for not accepting their deployment in other military districts other than the two Kivu, so as to continue their illegal exploitation of local mineral resources. "The various reports of the UN Group of Experts for the DRC denounced on several occasions, the implication of certain officers of the Congolese armed forces, including 'General' Bosco Ntaganda and 'Colonel' Sultans Makenga in Mafia circuits devoted to the smuggling of minerals Kivu. It is no secret. Nor is it a secret that the illegal trade of minerals travels above all through Rwanda, as well as Uganda and Burundi, as denounced also by the reports cited" say the missionaries. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 31/5/2012)

ASIA : INDIA : CHURCH SET ON FIRE IN KASHMIR

ASIA NEWS REPORT;
by Nirmala Carvalho
The police can not identify those responsible, despite the footage of security cameras. Brahmin Hindu convert to Catholicism: "The local community is left to itself, the church authorities must act." Bishop of Jammu-Srinagar: "The situation is tense, but the Church in India strongly supports us."


Srinagar (AsiaNews) - Nothing new in the case of the fire that threatened to destroy the Holy Family Church in Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), throwing the Catholic community in fear. More than a week after the accident, the police have not yet identified the perpetrators, despite the parish priest Fr. Mathew Thomas supplying them with video from surveillance cameras. "The pictures - he explains to AsiaNews - are not clear, but the police have the opportunity to improve their quality." According Predhuman Joseph Dhar, a Kashmiri Brahmin Hindu (Pandits) converted to Catholicism, the apparent little attention paid to the case by the authorities is an indication of the condition of "abandonment" of the Christian community by the state.

According to Dhar, the episode "should push the Church in India to open its eyes to the situation in which the Christian community lives here." Jammu and Kashmir, the only state with a Muslim majority and its own constitution, does not recognize the ecclesiastical authorities as governmental entities. "This - says the Catholic to AsiaNews - has led the Church to believe that having three schools was sufficient as a 'mission'". But to educate and raise a community, he adds, "more is needed. It means encouraging and supporting the local population in particular, not only those coming from other parts of the country to work in their schools."

For Dhar, the risk is that Christians become victims of ethnic cleansing by Islamic fundamentalists just like the pandits in the early '90s. In 1990, he had to leave his job (head of government education), and Kashmir, and moved into Jammu. "I did not received any help, and indeed, my forced exile was minimized by many. Now, even in Jammu Catholics feel less secure; in Kashmir, they have been reduced to zero. The same in Ladakh."

Msgr. Elampassery Peter Celestine, Bishop of Jammu-Srinagar is less negative. "The situation is tense - he admits to AsiaNews - this is true. Catholics here are a minority and are afraid of more attacks, they worry, and feel hurt by this attack on the heart of the community. However, the Church in India strongly supports us, and is with us in finding the culprits. "

source: asia news.it

TODAY'S MASS ONLINE : THURSDAY MAY 31, 2012


Luke 1: 39 - 56

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah,
40 and she entered the house of Zechari'ah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit
42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy.
45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
52 he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever."
56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.

TODAY'S SAINT : MAY 31 : VISITATION OF BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin
Feast: May 31


Information:
Feast Day: May 31
Assuming that the Annunciation and the Incarnation took place about the vernal equinox, Mary left Nazareth at the end of March and went over the mountains to Hebron, south of Jerusalem, to wait upon her cousin Elizabeth, because her presence and much more the presence of the Divine Child in her womb, according to the will of God, was to be the source of very great graces to the Blessed John, Christ's Forerunner.
The event is related in Luke 1:39-57. Feeling the presence of his Divine Saviour, John, upon the arrival of Mary, leaped in the womb of his mother; he was then cleansed from original sin and filled with the grace of God. Our Lady now for the first time exercised the office which belonged to the Mother of God made man, that He might by her mediation sanctify and glorify us. St. Joseph probably accompanied Mary, returned to Nazareth, and when, after three months, he came again to Hebron to take his wife home, the apparition of the angel, mentioned in Matthew 1:19-25, may have taken place to end the tormenting doubts of Joseph regarding Mary's maternity.

(Taken from Catholic Encyclopedia)


SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/V/visitationoftheblessedvirginmary.asp#ixzz1wRJFu2Kw