reflections, updates and homilies from Deacon Mike Talbot inspired by the following words from my ordination: Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach...
Bishop, Doctor of the Church, and the founder of the Redemptorist Congregation. He was born Alphonsus Marie Antony John Cosmos Damien Michael Gaspard de Liguori on September 27,1696, at Marianella, near Naples, Italy. Raised in a pious home, Alphonsus went on retreats with his father, Don Joseph, who was a naval officer and a captain of the Royal Galleys. Alphonsus was the oldest of seven children, raised by a devout mother of Spanish descent. Educated at the University of Naples, Alphonsus received his doctorate at the age of sixteen. By age nineteen he was practicing law, but he saw the transitory nature of the secular world, and after a brief time, retreated from the law courts and his fame. Visiting the local Hospital for Incurables on August 28, 1723, he had a vision and was told to consecrate his life solely to God. In response, Alphonsus dedicated himself to the religious life, even while suffering persecution from his family. He finally agreed to become a priest but to live at home as a member of a group of secular missionaries. He was ordained on December 21, 1726, and he spent six years giving missions throughout Naples. In April 1729, Alphonsus went to live at the "Chiflese College," founded in Naples by Father Matthew Ripa, the Apostle of China. There he met Bishop Thomas Falcoia, founder of the Congregation of Pious Workers. This lifelong friendship aided Alphonsus, as did his association with a mystic, Sister Mary Celeste. With their aid, Aiphonsus founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer on November 9, 1732. The foundation faced immediate problems, and after just one year, Alphonsus found himself with only one lay brother, his other companions having left to form their own religious group. He started again, recruited new members, and in 1743 became the prior of two new congregations, one for men and one for women. Pope Benedict XIV gave his approval for the men's congregation in 1749 and for the women's in 1750. Alphonsus was preaching missions in the rural areas and writing. He refused to become the bishop of Palermo but in 1762 had to accept the papal command to accept the see of St. Agatha of the Goths near Naples. Here he discovered more than thirty thousand uninstructed men and women and four hundred indifferent priests. For thirteen years Alphonsus fed the poor, instructed families, reorganized the seminary and religious houses, taught theology, and wrote. His austerities were rigorous, and he suffered daily the pain from rheumatism that was beginning to deform his body. He spent several years having to drink from tubes because his head was so bent forward. An attack of rheumatic fever, from May 1768 to June 1769, left him paralyzed. He was not allowed to resign his see, however, until 1775. In 1780, Alphonsus was tricked into signing a submission for royal approval of his congregation. This submission altered the original rule, and as a result Alphonsus was denied any authority among the Redemptorists. Deposed and excluded from his own congregation, Alphonsus suffered great anguish. But he overcame his depression, and he experienced visions, performed miracles, and gave prophecies. He died peacefully on August 1,1787, at Nocera di Pagani, near Naples as the Angelus was ringing. He was beatified in 1816 and canonized in 1839. In 1871, Alphonsus was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX. His writings on moral, theological, and ascetic matters had great impact and have survived through the years, especially his Moral Theology and his Glories of Mary. He was buried at the monastery of the Pagani near Naples. Shrines were built there and at St. Agatha of the Goths. He is the patron of confessors, moral theologians, and the lay apostolate. In liturgical art he is depicted as bent over with rheumatism or as a young priest.
To please the enemies of the Christians, Herod Agrippa had put St. James to death, and now he planned to do the same to St. Peter, the Head of the Church. Once he had him in prison, he set a heavy guard about him to make sure he would not escape. But all the Christians of Jerusalem were begging the Lord to save St. Peter, and their prayers were answered. The night before he was to be condemned, St. Peter was peacefully sleeping in his prison cell between his two guards bound tightly by two chains. He was unafraid of death and ready to do God's will. Suddenly an angel appeared and tapped him on the side to awaken him. He told him to get up at once, put on his cloak and sandles and follow him. At the same moment, both the chains fell from his hands! Out the two went, past two sets of guards, to the gate. This iron gate opened to them by itself and the angel led St. Peter out to the street. Then he disappeared. Up to then, Peter had thought he might be dreaming, but now he new that God had really sent an angel to free him! What joy and gratitude filled his heart! At once, the Apostle went to the home of Mary, St. Mark's mother, where many Christians were praying for his safety. He knocked at the door and a young woman named Rhoda came to ask who it was, without opening the door. When she heard St. Peter's voice, she ran joyfully to tell the others. They, however, could not believe the news. "It must be his angel," they said when she kept insisting. Meanwhile St. Peter knocked again. At last they let him in, and their happiness was immense when they saw it was truly St. Peter himself! He told them how the angel had freed him, and altogether they blessed and thanked the Lord. The feast day is August 1st.
A woman kisses Pope Francis' hand as he arrives to celebrate a private Mass at the Church of the Gesu in Rome July 31. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
From Vatican Radio, the complete text of Pope Francis' homily at the Gesù, given today on the Feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola:
In this Eucharist in which we celebrate our Father Ignatius of Loyola, in light of the Readings we have heard, I would like to propose three simple thoughts guided by three expressions: to put Christ and the Church in the centre; to allow ourselves to be conquered by Him in order to serve; to feel the shame of our limitations and our sins, in order to be humble before Him and before the brothers.
St. Ignatius was born in the family castle in Guipúzcoa, Spain, the youngest of 13 children, and was called Iñigo. When he was old enough, he became a page, and then a soldier of Spain to fight against the French. A cannon ball and a series of bad operations ended his military career in 1521. While St. Ignatius recovered, he read the lives of the saints, and decided to dedicate himself to becoming a soldier of the Catholic Faith. Soon after he experienced visions, but a year later suffered a trial of fears and scruples, driving him almost to despair. Out of this experience he wrote his famous "Spiritual Exercises". After traveling and studying in different schools, he finished in Paris, where he received his degree at the age of 43. Many first hated St. Ignatius because of his humble Lifestyle. Despite this, he attracted several followers at the university, including St. Francis Xavier, and soon started his order called The Society of Jesus, or Jesuits. There are 38 members of the Society of Jesus who have been declared Blessed, and 38 who have been canonized as saints. He died at the age of 65.
The Sixth Commandment:You shall not commit adultery.
Why is the production and consumption of pornography a sin against charity?
Someone who misuses love by detaching human sexuality from the intimacy of a committed, loving relationship between two spouses and turns it into commercial goods sins seriously. Anyone who produces, buys, or consumes pornographic materials violates human dignity and seduces others to sin.
Pornography is a degenerate form of prostitution, for here too there is the suggestion that man can get "love" for money. Models and actors, producers and distributors are equally involved in this serious offense against charity and human dignity. Anyone who consumes pornographic materials, visits pornographic websites, or participates in pornographic events finds himself in the wider circle of prostitution and supports the dirty, billion-dollar business of selling sex. (YOUCAT question 412)
Dig Deeper: CCC section (2354) and other references here.
Pope cries with Brazilian child who wants to be a priest
Pope Francis embraces, cries with Nathan during WYD. Credit: Radio FM Cancao Nova.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jul 30, 2013 / 02:54 pm (CNA).-
Nathan de Brito brought Pope Francis to tears during one of his motorcades through the streets of Rio de Janeiro on Friday, when he broke past barriers to deliver an important message to the Pontiff.
“Your Holiness, I want to be a priest of Christ, a representative of Christ,” de Brito whispered in the ear of Pope Francis July 26, after jumping hurdles and making his way to the Popemobile in his Brazilian national soccer team jersey.
“I am going to pray for you, but I ask you to pray for me,” Pope Francis responded, moved to tears and embracing him.
“As of today, your vocation is set.”
Onlookers noticed that de Brito did not want to leave the Holy Father. It was only after several attempts that the Pope's security entourage was able to take him off the Popemobile.
Once on the street, Nathan walked along side the Popemobile, waving to the Pontiff and blowing him kisses. One of the security guards stopped to console the boy before bringing him back to his waiting family.
Everett Williams, first black superintendent of N.O. public schools, dies
wwltv.com
Posted on July 30, 2013
Dominic Massa / Eyewitness News
NEW ORLEANS - Dr. Everett Williams, the first African-American superintendent of Orleans Parish Public Schools, who led the school system for seven years in the 1980s and 1990s, died Sunday. He was 82.
After 34 years in the Orleans Parish school system as a teacher and principal, Williams became superintendent in 1985. He vowed to tackle budget issues and improve student achievement, but observers said a teachers strike and battles with a contentious school board kept him from achieving some of the goals he set out for his administration and seeing a budget crisis grip the school system as he left office.
Supporters did credit Williams with pushing through a tough discipline policy, expanding early childhood education programs and adding magnet schools. Williams also boosted the public relations profile of the system, created a multicultural curriculum and an in-school day care for student mothers and established a superintendent’s awards program to honor outstanding students.
After retiring as superintendent, Williams worked for Freeport McMoRan, as manager of community relations and later company vice president.
A New Orleans native, Williams earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Xavier University and his Ph.D. from Michigan State University. He also spent time as a seminarian before marrying and entering a career in education.
His teaching career began in 1958 as he entered the school system as a teacher and head of the English department at Walter L. Cohen Senior High. He later served as an assistant principal at McDonogh 35, principal at Carter G. Woodson Junior High, then moved into administration, as an assistant superintendent and associate superintendent before being named superintendent.
In addition to his work in local schools, Williams served many non-profit boards and community groups during his career, including UNITY for the Homeless, Bridge House, Children’s Hospital and other medical and educational causes. He also chaired the education committee for the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation.
In the Archdiocese of New Orleans, he served on the Archbishop's Community Appeal as the first African-American Chairman in 1996. Additionally, he served on the board for Catholic Charities, Catholic Foundation, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, Xavier University, Notre Dame Seminary, Holy Rosary Academy and St. Joseph Seminary College.
Williams served as a deacon within the Archdiocese of New Orleans at both Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.
In 2010, he was honored with the Pope John Paul II award from the Archdiocese’s Catholic Foundation for a lifetime of service to the community. His service to the local church dates back to the 1960s, when then-Archbishop Philip Hannan asked him to consult on the desegregation of Catholic schools.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Melva, and two daughters, Melva and Eileen. He is preceded in death by a son, David.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Unity for the Homeless or Xavier University.
The Sixth Commandment:You shall not commit adultery.
Why is prostitution a form of fornication?
In prostitution "love" becomes a commodity and the person is degraded to an object of pleasure. That is why prostitution is a serious offense against human dignity and a serious sin against charity.
Certainly those who profit from prostitution - human traffickers, pimps, clients - burden themselves with greater guilt than the women, men, children, and young people who sell their bodies, often under duress or in situations of dependence. (YOUCAT question 411)
Dig Deeper: CCC section (2355) and other references here. (We will cover 2354 in tomorrow's note.)
St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Feast-July 30) Born at Imola, Italy in 406, St. Peter was baptized, educated, and ordained a deacon by Cornelius, Bishop of Imola. St. Peter merited being called "Chrysologus" (golden-worded) from his exceptional oratorical eloquence. In 433, Pope Sixtus III consecrated him bishop of Ravenna. He practiced many corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and ruled his flock with utmost diligence and care. He extirpated the last vestiges of paganism and other abuses that had sprouted among his people, cautioning them especially against indecent dancing. "Anyone who wishes to frolic with the devil," he remarked, "cannot rejoice with Christ." He also counseled the heretic Eutyches (who had asked for his support) to avoid causing division but to learn from the other heretics who were crushed when they hurled themselves against the Rock of Peter. He died at Imola, Italy in 450 and in 1729 was made a Doctor of the Church, largely as a result of his simple, practical, and clear sermons which have come down to us, nearly all dealing with Gospel subjects.
Bishop Glen John Provost statement; Bishop Speyrer complete obit
Posted: Jul 25, 2013 9:29 AM by MELISSA CANONE
This is a full obituary provided by the Diocese of Lake Charles and a statement by Bishop Provost at the bottom:
LAKE CHARLES - The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 31, for His Excellency, The Most Reverend Jude Speyrer, S.T.L., D.D., 84, the founding bishop of the Diocese of Lake Charles, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at the corner of Kirby and Bilbo streets. Bishop Glen John Provost will be the celebrant and priests of the Diocese will concelebrate. He will be interred in New Bethany Cemetery on the grounds of Saint Charles Center in Moss Bluff.
Public viewing will be from 2 to 8 p.m. beginning on Monday, July 29, with Evening Prayer at 6:30 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, with a Scripture Service at 6:30 p.m.. Bishop Speyrer died on Sunday, July 21, in Opelousas. He was consecrated and installed as the first bishop of Lake Charles on April 25, 1980. Pope John Paul II appointed him to lead the new diocese on January 29, 1980.
Bishop Speyrer is survived by a sister, Alice Louise Finley of Arnaudville, and a brother, Oscar Speyrer and his wife Faye of Opelousas, and a multitude of nieces and nephews. The Bishop-emeritus served as the shepherd of the local church of Southwest Louisiana until Dec. 12, 2000, when Pope John Paul II accepted his request for retirement. He was named Administrator of the Diocese by the College of Consultors after his retirement, serving until Feb. 21, 2001, when his successor Bishop Edward K. Braxton was installed.
Bishop Speyrer was born on April 14, 1929 in Leonville, La. - one of 12 children of Emelie and Antoine Speyrer. He entered St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, La. at the age of 13 and graduated in 1947 with an associate of arts degree. He then entered Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in May 1949. In Sept. 1949, he was sent to the Pontifical North American College in Rome for further studies, transferring to the University of Fribourg in Switzerland in 1950. He was ordained to the diaconate in 1953 and graduated from the University of Fribourg with a Licentiate in Sacred Theology in May 1953. Lafayette Auxiliary Bishop Maurice Schexnayder ordained him to the priesthood on July 25, 1953 in St. John Cathedral in Lafayette. He celebrated his first mass in his hometown church of St. Leo the Great in Leonville.
His first assignment was as assistant pastor of St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas. He was later assigned as assistant chaplain to Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel at the University of Southwestern Louisiana as well as associate editor of The Southwest Louisiana Register, the newspaper of the Diocese of Lafayette.
In 1964, he became pastor to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Arthur as well as administrator of the parish's St. Maria Goretti Catholic elementary and high school. In 1969, he became the founding pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Lafayette and in 1974 named a Chaplain to His Holiness Pope Paul VI with the title Monsignor. Beginning in 1974, he was named - in succession - Chancellor, Vicar General, Vicar for the Lafayette Deanery and Chairman of the Council of Vicars of the Diocese of Lafayette, working in Chancery positions until his elevation to the episcopacy in1980.
He was very active in the community helping to launch Abraham's Tent in 1986. He was on the Board of Directors for United Way of Southwest Louisiana for a number of years and served as chairman, vice chairman and treasurer, the latter on two occasions. He was also instrumental in raising awareness and funds for the construction of a chapel at the Phelps Correctional Center in DeQuincy.
There were many highlights during his 20 years as Bishop of Lake Charles. On Sept. 9, 1980 - the Feast of St. Peter Claver - he named St. Peter Claver as the patron of the fledgling diocese. He inaugurated the Sunday morning television program of the diocese - Glad Tidings - on Oct. 5, 1980 and he participated in the celebration of 100 years of Catholic education in Lake Charles on Aug. 1, 1982.
He established the publication of the Catholic Calendar, initially a single page published twice monthly in the Lake Charles American Press, on Oct. 15, 1982.
In 1983, Bishop Speyrer established the first new parish in the Diocese of Lake Charles at St. Charles Borromeo in Fenton and dedicated the first new chapel - St. Jude Chapel in Dry Creek. On April 25, 1985, the offices of the Chancery were moved into new quarters at 414 Iris Street, the building being a gift from Calcasieu Council 1207 Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Lady of the Lake 695 of the Cathedral parish.
Bishop Speyrer initiated the publication of a monthly newspaper for the Diocese, The Southwest Catholic, in Nov. 1986. He dedicated the Stella Maris Seafarers Center at the Port of Lake Charles on Jan. 15, 1987.
In April 1988, the Bishop made the first of three ad limina visits to the Holy See to report to the Holy Father on the Diocese.
A project near and dear to his heart began on April 1, 1995 with the start of construction of Saint Charles Center, the diocesan spirituality/retreat center on Sam Houston Jones Parkway in Moss Bluff. Shortly after the establishment of the Diocese, Bishop Speyrer had called his priests together to discuss the most important needs for the new diocese. While many topics were discussed, the item that came up repeatedly was the need, at some time in the future, for a retreat center for the Diocese. After years of planning and fundraising, the project was begun. In Jan. 1995, Bishop Speyrer welcomed to Lake Charles, The Most Reverend Agostino Cacciavillan, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States for the dedication of Saint Charles Center and its Tabor Retreat House and Katharine Drexel Conference Center.
Acting upon Pope John Paul II's 1994 apostolic letter Tertio Millennio Adveniente to the world's bishops, clergy, and lay faithful on preparation for the Jubilee of the Year 2000, Bishop Speyer initiated in Jan. 1997 a 36-month pilgrimage to each parish of the diocese. The monthly pilgrimage began at the youngest parish - St. Charles Borromeo in Fenton - and concluded at the oldest, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. On Dec. 31, 1999, a Night Watch ceremony was held at the Cathedral and four other parishes of the Diocese to usher in the new millennium. A celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Diocese took place Jan. 28, 2000 at a reception in the Calcasieu Marine tower in downtown Lake Charles. The anniversary saw the publication of The Visible Church, a history of the church parishes of the Diocese.
During his two decades as head of the Diocese, Bishop Speyrer was singled out for numerous honors. In Aug. 1980, he was invested as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Fleur de Lis, in Oct. 1981 as a Knight Commander with Star of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and in 1994 as an Ecclesiastical Knight Commander of Grace in the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George.
Over the years, he was recognized by many organizations for his dutiful service, receiving the St. George Emblem from the National Committee on Scouting and named Clergyman of the Year by Msgr. Cramers Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, and Knight of the Year by District VI of the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver. He also received the Ecumenical Service Award from the Lake Charles Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, was named the diocesan Citizen of the Year by the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, and presented with the Silver Beaver Emblem by the Calcasieu Area Councils of Boy Scouts of America.
The National Council of the Knights of Peter Claver conferred upon him its National Gold Medal of Merit, he was named the Distinguished Citizen by the Calcasieu Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, awarded the diocese's St. Vincent de Paul Humanitarian Award, and presented the Gold Palm of Jerusalem from the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
The Pontifical Knights of the Diocese awarded him their inaugural Clergy Leadership Award, and the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus gave him a Medal of Commendation. The Louisiana District of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus gave him the Pope John XXII Award for Ecumenism, and he received the Award of Honor by the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George for his spiritual and moral leadership. He received the inaugural H.E. Chevalier Truman H. Stacey Award for the Promotion of Ecumenism from the Imperial Calcasieu Cadre of the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem.
In 2008, he established The Bishop Jude Speyrer Fund in Honor of Monsignor Gouaux with the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana. Distributions from the Fund are to be used exclusively for tuition assistance for clergy of the Diocese of Lake Charles seeking further education. Contributions to the this fund or directly to the Diocese for a charity dear to Bishop Speyrer would be gratefully accepted in lieu of flowers.
Bishop Provost speaks on the death of Bishop Speyrer
"We are all saddened by the death of Bishop Speyrer who served our Lord Jesus so devoutly and fulfilled the office of apostle so diligently. He was a good and faithful servant. We also appreciate the legacy he left behind, the foundations he laid for the Diocese of Lake Charles, and the memories of his insight and wisdom. Finally, we take great consolation in the faith that we shared with Bishop Speyrer in the victory over death accomplished in Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life that it promises. I recall my long acquaintanceship with Bishop Speyrer that began in Lafayette when I served as his altar server. I consider it a great privilege to have been under his tutelage. May he rest in lasting peace."
Earth to journalists everywhere; read the Catechism. It’s all in there and it’s old news.
Here we go again. That’s what went through my mind when I started seeing the very sensational headlines from CNN, CBS, the Daily Telegraph, the BBC and others indicating that the head of the Catholic Church is doing an about face on the core teachings concerning homosexuality and the male priesthood. It is so sadly similar to the hatchet job the vast number of journalists did several years ago when they tried to allege that Benedict XVI had gone ahead and given the thumbs up to birth control. The comments causing much ado about nothing -now and then- were even made by Francis and Benedict in a similar setting; during a question and answer session traveling with the Church leaders to or from major papal events. And both times the media got it wrong. Lord, give me strength!
What exactly did Pope Francis say that has the media all abuzz? Actually, when he was asked about an alleged gay lobby at the Vatican, he merely reiterated Church teaching on homosexuality. During the interview with reporters on the way home from World Youth Day in Brazil, the Pope said there seems to be a lot of talk about this so called "gay lobby," but “I haven’t seen it on the Vatican ID card.” In other words, through a rather tongue in cheek comment, the Pope is hinting to any reporter with half a brain that so far Vatican officials have been unable to substantiate the claims. So the talk, right now about the “gay lobby” is just that; a lot of talk. He went on to say, in his own words, what the Church has always taught on the issue of homosexuality.
“When I meet a gay person, I have to distinguish between their being gay and being part of a lobby. If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them? They shouldn’t be marginalized. The tendency is not the problem. They are our brothers.”
So what exactly does the Catechism say about this? Interesting isn’t it? The Pope’s comments are no different than what we find in paragraph 2358:
“The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.”
Most of the media reports also missed or chose to ignore a key part of his statement.
“It (the Catechism) says they should not be marginalized because of this but that they must be integrated into society,”
My colleague at Ave Maria Radio, Al Kresta, author of the new book “Dangers to the Faith; Recognizing Catholicism’s 21st Century Opponents,” sums it up beautifully: “This is yet another example of the mainstream media being utterly incompetent when reporting on matters of religion. Any journalist worthy of the title could take a cursory look at the Catechism of the Catholic Church to understand the context of the Pope’s statement. In fact, one needs only to read the next sentence of Pope Francis’ comments ‘The problem is not having this orientation. We must be brothers.’ Catholic teaching is, and always will be, that homosexual orientation is not in and of itself sinful. The Pope broke no new ground here and the attempt to pit Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis against each other on this issue is shameful.”
Also shameful is the real story the media missed here. Pope Francis affirmed the teaching on the male priesthood and at the same time called upon the Church to expand the role of women. He explained the issue of women’s ordination “is a closed door” but would like to see more women in leadership roles. “Just as Mary was more important than the Apostles, so women today are more important than Bishops and priests and there is a great need for theology to explore and explain this better.”
One would think in a world that continually attacks the Church for being backward that his statement of the value and position of women in the Church that this would also be the subject of headlines. Feminists should be loving this; a Pope who wants women to do more and not less in the Catholic Church. But alas, since he didn’t call for women’s ordination, the media aren’t interested.
Bottom line for faithful Catholics-use this as an opportunity to teach about what the Church really says verses what the media want you to believe. And stay tuned to Ave Maria Radio and EWTN. I will be discussing this on my show with EWTN’s Rome Bureau Chief, Joan Lewis tomorrow 9am ET.
Lector at Papal WYD Mass says she encountered Church
Katherine Bauman reads the first reading during the Mass for the Evangelization of Peoples July 28, 2013. Credit: EWTN.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jul 28, 2013 / 06:42 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The young woman who proclaimed a Scripture reading at the Papal Mass at World Youth Day said that it was an unforgettable experience that enabled her to encounter the Church in a unique way.
“It was amazing to look out and see more than three million people, and to think that this is all due to 12 men who said ‘yes’ to God’s call 2,000 years ago,” said 19-year-old Katherine Bauman, a native of Denver, Colo.
Bauman, who is studying theology, education and classical languages at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., proclaimed the first reading at the World Youth Day Closing Mass with Pope Francis on Copacabana Beach.
The July 28 Mass, which was moved from its original location in western Rio de Janeiro due to heavy rains, drew an estimated 3.2 million people.
Looking out over a massive sea of pilgrims from around the world, Bauman was amazed.
“It was an incredible experience,” she told CNA. “It expanded my perception of the diversity and the richness of our Church…all the different cultures gathered together.”
“Having this experience in a Latin American country, with a Latin American Pope, returning here for the first time – it’s so powerful,” she continued. “It showed me that I’m part of something a lot bigger than just me.”
In early June, Bauman got a phone call inviting her to read at the Mass. She was completely shocked, and it took her a while to process the fact that she would be reading in front of several million people and Pope Francis.
As the event drew closer, she became “a bit nervous” about speaking in front of so many people. But the nervousness was replaced with excitement when she got up on the altar.
“I was just so immersed in the moment,” she said, adding that “it’s really not about me anyway.”
This is the first time Bauman has attended a World Youth Day, although she was just miles away from the 1993 festivities in Denver, where she was born. Just two weeks old at the time, she was not at the events then, but has wanted to attend a World Youth Day for years.
Two decades later, Bauman is finally attending the international youth gathering and will be celebrating her 20th birthday in Brazil, making the event even more memorable, though she does not have any special plans for her birthday.
“It’s a pilgrimage,” she explained, although she joked that “I’m hoping to have ‘Happy Birthday’ sung to me in at least three different languages.”
Bauman came to Brazil with a U.S. group from the Christian Life Movement, an international ecclesial movement started in South America. They arrived a week early to do mission trips in the favelas – or slums – of Sao Paolo, an experience that she described as “overwhelming.”
Her group painted the local outreach center, conducted catechesis with the children and visited families in their homes to talk with them, pray with them and listen to their stories.
These visits were “startling,” Bauman said, explaining that she was “struck by the openness of the people in this culture in general, but especially of the people in the favelas. They didn’t know us, but they invited us into their homes and they poured their hearts out to us.”
She contrasted this with the United States, where it is “almost a social taboo” to really open up and touch someone’s heart upon first meeting them.
“But we are meant for true encounter with one another, which is what I experienced in the slums, and I believe that we can learn a lot in this area from other cultures,” she reflected.
Bauman has also worked with the poor in Denver for several years, through a program called Christ in the City that brings young people from around the country to serve the local homeless.
Commenting on Pope Francis, who also visited a favela during his trip to Brazil, she said that she is “really touched by what he does, especially by the spontaneity of the love that he shows.”
“It’s clear that he sees the person first, and his primary goal in any encounter is to love the person without reservation.”
In addition to the Closing Mass with Pope Francis, the Opening Mass also made a powerful impression on Bauman.
“I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt, and I didn’t even notice the rain at times. Even though I didn’t understand the language and I was exhausted, I was just so caught up in what was going on,” she said.
Reflecting on World Youth Day overall, Bauman said that the huge numbers of people were what struck her most.
“Just seeing people pour onto the beach – they kept coming and coming and coming. And then realizing that we’re all there for the same reason; it’s just really powerful,” she explained. “What if we all lived out our faith? What could we accomplish? We could do a lot.”
The Sixth Commandment:You shall not commit adultery.
What is meant by "fornication"?
Fornication (from Greek porneia) originally meant pagan sexual practice, for instance, temple prostitution. Later the term was applied to all forms of sexual activity outside of marriage. Today in English it generally refers to consensual sexual relations between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman.
Fornication is often based on seduction, lies, violence, dependency, and abuse. Fornication is therefore a serious offense against charity; it harms the dignity of the person and fails to recognize the meaning of human sexuality. Civil authorities have the duty to protect minors especially from fornication. (YOUCAT question 410)
Dig Deeper: CCC section (2353) and other references here.
"Jesus loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus." This unique statement in John's gospel tells us of the special relationshipJesus had with Martha, her sister, and her brother.
Apparently Jesus was a frequent guest at Martha's home in Bethany, a small village two miles from Jerusalem. We read of three visits in Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-53, and John 12:1-9.
Many of us find it easy to identify with Martha in the story Luke tells. Martha welcomes Jesus and his disciples into her home and immediately goes to work to serve them. Hospitality is paramount in the Middle East and Martha believed in its importance. Imagine her frustration when her sister Mary ignores the rule of hospitality and Martha's work in order to sit and listen to Jesus. Instead of speaking to her sister, she asks Jesus to intervene. Jesus' response is not unkind, which gives us an idea of his affection for her. He observes that Martha is worried about many things that distract her from really being present to him. He reminds her that there is only one thing that is truly important -- listening to him. And that is what Mary has done. In Martha we see ourselves -- worried and distracted by all we have to do in the world and forgetting to spend time with Jesus. It is, however, comforting to note that Jesus loved her just the same.
The next visit shows how well Martha learned this lesson. She is grieving the death of her brother with a house full of mourners when she hears that Jesus has just come to the area. She gets up immediately and leaves the guests, leaves her mourning, and goes to meet him.
Her conversation with Jesus shows her faith and courage. In this dialogue she states clearly without doubt that she believes in Jesus' power, in the resurrection, and most of all that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus tells her that he is the resurrection and the life and then goes on to raise her brother from the dead. Our final picture of Martha in Scripture is the one that sums up who she was. Jesus has returned to Bethany some time later to share a meal with his good friends. In this home were three extraordinary people. We hear how brother Lazarus caused a stir when was brought back to life. We hear how Mary causes a commotion at dinner by annointing Jesus with expensive perfume. But all we hear about Martha is the simple statement: "Martha served." She isn't in the spotlight, she doesn't do showy things, she doesn't receive spectacular miracles. She simply serves Jesus.
We know nothing more about Martha and what happened to her later. According to a totally untrustworthy legend Martha accompanied Mary to evangelize France after Pentecost.
But wouldn't it be wonderful if the most important thing that could be said about us is "They served"?
Polish pilgrims celebrate after hearing the news that the next World Youth Day will be hosted by Krakow, Poland in 2016. Credit: Walter Sanchez Silva/CNA.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jul 28, 2013 / 09:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- “The next World Youth Day in the year 2016 will be in Krakow, in Poland!” the Pope said at the close of Sunday Mass in Rio July 28.
The event is sure to attract millions.
Bl. Pope John Paul II was Archbishop of Krakow before his election to the papacy. The archdiocese has about 1.5 million Catholics and over 1,100 diocesan priests across 439 parishes, according to the website Catholic Hierarchy.
Cardnal Stanislaw Dziwisz, the present Archbishop of Krakow, was personal secretary to John Paul II.
Poland has over 38 million people, about 90 percent of whom are Catholic, the CIA World Factbook says.
Poland is one of the most Catholic countries in Europe. Though the nation remained staunchly Catholic under Soviet-imposed atheistic communism, and took special pride in the papacy of John Paul II, the country has become somewhat more secularized in the last two decades. Weekly church attendance has dropped below 40 percent.
The choice of Krakow marks a return to Europe, which has hosted the global youth event three of the last six times.
Madrid, Spain hosted the World Youth Day in 2011 while Sydney, Australia hosted the event in 2008 and Cologne, Germany hosted the event in 2005. Toronto, Canada hosted it in 2002 while Rome hosted World Youth Day 2000
Rio, Brazil, July 28, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Pope Francis has added a powerful pro-life statement to his closing mass at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro today, personally requesting at the last minute that a seriously ill child whose parents rejected abortion be presented during the offertory procession at the Mass.
According to Fr. Federico Lombardi, the Vatican’s press officer, “During the final mass of World Youth Day, Pope Francis will welcome this child during the offertory procession of the mass as a gesture of welcome and offering of a life to God.”
Fr. Lombardi said the pope first encountered the child, who suffers from anencephaly, a condition in which a baby is born without a significant portion of its brain, as he was leaving the cathedral of St. Sebastian in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. The parents presented the baby to the pope.
Most babies with anencephaly do not live more than minutes after birth, although some have been known to live for months or even years. Many of them are aborted before birth.
According to Fr. Lombardi, “The parents did not wish to abort their child even though an abortion would have been allowed legally for such a case.”
“The parents wished to welcome the gift of life.”
Millions of youth are expected to join today’s mass, the concluding event of the five day World Youth Day festivities, which brought the world’s first Latin American pope to his home continent.
According to some estimates, as many as three million youth gathered on Copacabana beach for a prayer vigil yesterday evening, during which the Pope urged them to eschew the siren call of money and power
(Vatican Radio)
Celebrating the World Youth Day Holy Mass in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, Pope
Francis told those present that it was time to go and to pass on this experience
to others.
Addressing a crowd of over 3 million people gathered on
Copacabana beachfront for the concluding Mass of the weeklong event, the Pope
focused his message on the very theme chosen to run through World Youth Day: “Go
and make disciples of all nations”.
To the millions of young people gathered to be with him, Pope
Francis offered three simple ideas: “Go, do not be afraid, and serve”. Go –
he said – during these days here in Rio you have enjoyed a wonderful experience,
meeting Jesus with others and sensing the joy of faith. But this experience – he
said – must not remain locked up in your life or community, it must be shared
and passed on so that everyone may know, love and confess Jesus. And he
pointed out that Jesus’ message of love is not just for some, it is for
everyone, and he urged the young people not to be afraid of bringing Christ into
every area of life, to the fringes of society, even to those who seem most
indifferent. Pope Francis galvanized the young people by telling them that
Christ’s proclamation is entrusted to them so that it may resound with fresh
power. The Church needs you – he said – your enthusiasm, your creativity and the
joy that is so characteristic of you. Do not be afraid – he repeated – Jesus
never leaves you alone! And finally: Serve. Just as St. Paul made himself a
slave to all – the Pope explained – “evangelizing means bearing personal witness
to the love of God, it is overcoming our selfishness, it is serving by bending
down to wash the feet of our brethren as Jesus did.” If you follow these
three ideas – Pope Francis concluded – you will experience the joy of faith. So:
“go home and do not be afraid to be generous with Christ. He is counting on you!
The Church is counting on you! The Pope is counting on you!”
Please find the full text of his homily below:
Brother Bishops and Priests, Dear Young Friends,
“Go
and make disciples of all nations”. With these words, Jesus is speaking to each
one of us, saying: “It was wonderful to take part in World Youth Day, to live
the faith together with young people from the four corners of the earth, but now
you must go, now you must pass on this experience to others.” Jesus is calling
you to be a disciple with a mission! Today, in the light of the word of God that
we have heard, what is the Lord saying to us? Three simple ideas: Go, do not be
afraid, and serve.
1. Go. During these days here in Rio, you have been
able to enjoy the wonderful experience of meeting Jesus, meeting him together
with others, and you have sensed the joy of faith. But the experience of this
encounter must not remain locked up in your life or in the small group of your
parish, your movement, or your community. That would be like withholding oxygen
from a flame that was burning strongly. Faith is a flame that grows stronger the
more it is shared and passed on, so that everyone may know, love and confess
Jesus Christ, the Lord of life and history (cf. Rom 10:9).
Careful,
though! Jesus did not say: “if you would like to, if you have the time”, but:
“Go and make disciples of all nations.” Sharing the experience of faith, bearing
witness to the faith, proclaiming the Gospel: this is a command that the Lord
entrusts to the whole Church, and that includes you; but it is a command that is
born not from a desire for domination or power but from the force of love, from
the fact that Jesus first came into our midst and gave us, not a part of
himself, but the whole of himself, he gave his life in order to save us and to
show us the love and mercy of God. Jesus does not treat us as slaves, but as
free men, as friends, as brothers and sisters; and he not only sends us, he
accompanies us, he is always beside us in our mission of love.
Where does
Jesus send us? There are no borders, no limits: he sends us to everyone. The
Gospel is for everyone, not just for some. It is not only for those who seem
closer to us, more receptive, more welcoming. It is for everyone. Do not be
afraid to go and to bring Christ into every area of life, to the fringes of
society, even to those who seem farthest away, most indifferent. The Lord seeks
all, he wants everyone to feel the warmth of his mercy and his love.
In
particular, I would like Christ’s command: “Go” to resonate in you young people
from the Church in Latin America, engaged in the continental mission promoted by
the Bishops. Brazil, Latin America, the whole world needs Christ! Saint Paul
says: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” (1 Cor 9:16). This continent
has received the proclamation of the Gospel which has marked its history and
borne much fruit. Now this proclamation is entrusted also to you, that it may
resound with fresh power. The Church needs you, your enthusiasm, your creativity
and the joy that is so characteristic of you. A great Apostle of Brazil, Blessed
José de Anchieta, set off on the mission when he was only nineteen years old. Do
you know what the best tool is for evangelizing the young? Another young person.
This is the path to follow!
2. Do not be afraid. Some people might think:
“I have no particular preparation, how can I go and proclaim the Gospel?” My
dear friend, your fear is not so very different from that of Jeremiah, a young
man like you, when he was called by God to be a prophet. We have just heard his
words: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a
youth”. God says the same thing to you as he said to Jeremiah: “Be not afraid
... for I am with you to deliver you” (Jer 1:7,8). He is with us!
“Do not
be afraid!” When we go to proclaim Christ, it is he himself who goes before us
and guides us. When he sent his disciples on mission, he promised: “I am with
you always” (Mt 28:20). And this is also true for us! Jesus does not leave us
alone, he never leaves you alone! He always accompanies you.
And then,
Jesus did not say: “One of you go”, but “All of you go”: we are sent together.
Dear young friends, be aware of the companionship of the whole Church and also
the communion of the saints on this mission. When we face challenges together,
then we are strong, we discover resources we did not know we had. Jesus did not
call the Apostles to live in isolation, he called them to form a group, a
community. I would like to address you, dear priests concelebrating with me at
this Eucharist: you have come to accompany your young people, and this is
wonderful, to share this experience of faith with them! But it is a stage on the
journey. Please continue to accompany them with generosity and joy, help them to
become actively engaged in the Church; never let them feel alone! And at this
point I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to theYouth Ministery groups,
to the Movements and the new Communities that accompany the young people in
their experience of being Church. They are so creative, so audacious. Carry on
and do not be afraid!
3. The final word: serve. The opening words of the
psalm that we proclaimed are: “Sing to the Lord a new song” (Psalm 95:1). What
is this new song? It does not consist of words, it is not a melody, it is the
song of your life, it is allowing our life to be identified with that of Jesus,
it is sharing his sentiments, his thoughts, his actions. And the life of Jesus
is a life for others. It is a life of service.
In our Second Reading
today, Saint Paul says: “I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the
more” (1 Cor 9:19). In order to proclaim Jesus, Paul made himself “a slave to
all”. Evangelizing means bearing personal witness to the love of God, it is
overcoming our selfishness, it is serving by bending down to wash the feet of
our brethren, as Jesus did.
Three words: Go, do not be afraid, and serve.
Follow these three words: Go, do not be afraid, and serve. If you follow these
three ideas, you will experience that the one who evangelizes is evangelized,
the one who transmits the joy of faith receives joy. Dear young friends, as you
return to your homes, do not be afraid to be generous with Christ, to bear
witness to his Gospel. In the first Reading, when God sends the prophet
Jeremiah, he gives him the power to “pluck up and to break down, to destroy and
to overthrow, to build and to plant” (1:10). It is the same for you. Bringing
the Gospel is bringing God’s power to pluck up and break down evil and violence,
to destroy and overthrow the barriers of selfishness, intolerance and hatred, so
as to build a new world. Jesus Christ is counting on you! The Church is counting
on you! The Pope is counting on you! May Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother,
always accompany you with her tenderness: “Go and make disciples of all
nations”. Amen
Wheelchair-bound man moves three million hearts in Copacabana
By Estefania Aguirre
Felipe Passos speaks at the World Youth Day 2013 prayer vigil. Credit: CTV.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jul 27, 2013 / 07:50 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The young Brazilian Felipe Passos moved the hearts of three million World Youth Day participants, including Pope Francis himself, when he told the story of how he became bound to a wheelchair and discovered “the Cross.”
Felipe, 23, spoke at the World Youth Day prayer vigil July 27 at Copacabana Beach.
He told how at the end of the past World Youth Day, held in Madrid in 2011, he made two spiritual promises. He promised to stay chaste until marriage and to work hard so his prayer group of Ponta Grossa, in Brazil’s southern state of Paraná, could participate in this year’s World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.
With few resources, Felipe and his friends began saving money by working several hard jobs at the same time that they prepared themselves spiritually: praying, adoring the Blessed Sacrament, fasting and doing works of solidarity.
Then a horrible thing happened.
“In January of this year, two days before turning 23, two youths entered my house, armed, to rob the money we had gathered with so much sacrifice,” said Felipe.
“I thought of the months of great efforts, of my family’s sacrificing, of my friends and colleagues… in what would have been snatched from us and I decided I would not give it,” he added July 27.
Felipe saved the savings of the group, but received a gunshot wound that almost ended his life.
“I was clinically dead, I had several cardiac arrests, and the doctor told my parents in the hospital ‘this boy has no hope,’ but I’m here and my community is here because of God’s mercy,” remarked Felipe.
In front of a shocked crowd and in front of Pope Francis, who looked at him attentively, the Brazilian told how he was in coma, breathing through a tube, while his community offered prayer intentions and sacrifices so he would heal.
Finally, when he became conscience, the first thing he did was ask for the Eucharist and after receiving it, he recovered rapidly.
But Felipe, who was then bound to a wheelchair, stated “this is my cross, the cross the Lord sent me to come closer to him, to live more openly his grace and love.”
When the three million youths broke out clapping, Felipe interrupted them.
“Silence!” he said. “Let’s listen to the Holy Spirit!”
The 23-year-old then asked each of the youths present to take the cross they had hung around their neck, to hold it and look at it.
Felipe invited them to meditate in silence on the questions: “What is the cross that the Lord has given me? What is the cross that he wants me to carry for his love?”
Everyone present, including bishops and cardinals, contemplated their own cross around their neck. The wheelchair-bound young man’s words created a unique moment of profound silence along the entire Copacabana beach.
Felipe finished his testimony asking for prayers as well as for Pope Francis’ blessing.
The Sixth Commandment:You shall not commit adultery.
Is masturbation an offense against love?
Masturbation is an offense against love, because it makes the excitement of sexual pleasure an end in itself and uncouples it from the holistic unfolding of love between a man and a woman. That is why "sex with yourself" is a contradiction in terms.
The Church does not demonize masturbation, but she warns against trivializing it. In fact many young people and adults are in danger of becoming isolated in their consumption of lewd pictures, films, and Internet services instead of finding love in a personal relationship. Loneliness can lead to a blind alley in which masturbation becomes an addiction. Living by the motto "For sex I do not need anyone; I will have it myself, however and whenever I need it" makes nobody happy. (YOUCAT question 409)
Dig Deeper: CCC section (2352) and other references here.
Innocent was born at Albano, Italy. He became Pope, succeeding Pope St. Anastasius I, on December 22, 401. During Innocent's pontificate, he emphasized papal supremacy, commending the bishops of Africa for referring the decrees of their councils at Carthage and Millevis in 416, condemning Pelagianism, to the Pope for confirmation. It was his confirmation of these decrees that caused Augustine to make a remark that was to echo through the centuries: "Roma locuta, causa finitas" (Rome has spoken, the matter is ended). Earlier Innocent had stressed to Bishop St. Victrius and the Spanish bishops that matters of great importance were to be referred to Rome for settlement. Innocent strongly favored clerical celibacy and fought the unjust removal of St. John Chrysostom. He vainly sought help from Emperor Honorius at Revenna when the Goths under Alaric captured and sacked Rome. Innocent died in Rome on March 12. His feast day is July 28th.
Former President George H. W. Bush shaves head bald to support 2-year-old boy with leukemia
The nation's 41st president shaved all his hair as a show of solidarity with Patrick, the son of one of the members of Bush's security detail, who lost his hair as part of his cancer treatments.
Former President George H. W. Bush shaved his head this week to show solidarity with Patrick, the son of a member of his security detail who's battling cancer.
Former President George H. W. Bush shaved his head Wednesday as a show of solidarity with a 2-year-old-boy who is battling leukemia.
The boy, named Patrick, is the son of one of the members of Bush’s security detail. He had lost most of his hair due to his cancer treatments, a Bush spokesman said. RELATED: OBAMA, H.W. BUSH BRIDGE IDEOLOGICAL GAPS AT EVENT
Bush, 89, got the idea to shave his head to show his support after he noticed that several members of his Secret Service detail, known as the Bush Protective Division, had also shaved their heads in solidarity with Patrick.
Twitter
George H. W. Bush poses with members of his Secret Service detail who have also shaved their heads to support Patrick.
A Bush spokesman also said that the former president had helped launch a website, www.patrickspals.org, to assist with Patrick’s medical costs.
The cause for Bush’s act is one close to his heart. The nation’s 41st president and his wife Barbara Bush lost a daughter, Pauline, to leukemia in 1953, when she was just 4 years old.
Bush made headlines earlier this month when he attended a White House ceremony honoring his “Points of Light” volunteer program.
Earth to journalists everywhere; read the Catechism. It’s all in there and it’s old news. 
(Vatican Radio)
Celebrating the World Youth Day Holy Mass in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, Pope
Francis told those present that it was time to go and to pass on this experience
to others.
