Sunday, June 30, 2013
Friday, June 28, 2013
Ordinations to the Priesthood and Diaconate
Fr Terence McGovern, a native of Carlow, was ordained to the
priesthood on Sunday June 23rd by Bishop James Moriarty in the Cathedral of the
Assumption. Deacon Sean Hyland from Kildare & Leighlin diocese and Deacon
Barry Larkin from Ferns diocese assisted in the cermony which was also attended
by a large number of priests and their Bishop Elect Fr Denis Nulty. Fr. Terence had worked for 15 years as a solicitor, initially at Lanigan,
Malcomson & Law and then on his own at an office in Carlow. Having found himself drawn to the priesthood Terence spent a year in
Sean Hyland was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin on 14th
June.
Rev Jonathan Flood a native of Ballintra will be ordained to
the Priesthood by Bishop Philip Boyce, OCD, Bishop of Raphoe on Sunday 30th June in the Cathedral of Sts Eunan and
Columba, Letterkenny at 3pm .
The Archdiocese of Armagh looks forward to the Priestly
ordination of Rev Paul Murphy also on Sunday 30th June at 3pm at the Church
of The Immaculate Conception Belfast before moving to The Irish
College, Rome for this Theology
studies. Rev Paul Murphy has been ministering as a Deacon in the parish
of Drogheda for the last year while studying Liturgy in
St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.
Diocese of Raphoe Pray and Walk for Life - 3pm Saturday 29th June
All parishes in the Diocese of Raphoe are asked to come along in great numbers to
support this life-saving initiative of prayer and supplication before God for
the protection of mothers and their unborn children and to send a clear message to our
legislators, local and national, that the proposed legislation on abortion is
neither supported by medical expertise nor by the people of Donegal and beyond.
They will begin with prayer in St. Eunan's Cathedral,
Letterkenny at 3pm sharp and will be led by the Bishop of Raphoe, Dr. Philip Boyce. From there they will process through the town to arrive at
'Bernard Mc Glinchey Park' where they will have a few brief speeches from invited speakers. They will conclude by 5pm with
the Holy Rosary. Please bring along your parish or town-land banners.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Ordination of Three Permanent Deacons for Archdiocese of Dublin
Three men were ordained as Permanent Deacons in St. Mary’s
Pro Cathedral in Dublin on
Sunday evening (June 23rd). Jimmy Fennell, Michael Giblin and Derek
Leonard are the second group of men to be ordained in Dublin
to this revived ministry in the Irish
Church
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin ordained the three men and said
the call to the deaconate today is a call to be configured in a special way to
Jesus who serves and to represent in a special way in the life of the Church.
In his homily, the Archbishop said, “Your configuration to Jesus who serves
must from today onwards become part of your identity, something you must fully
integrate into the way you live. All ministry in the Church is
service. It must reach out. Whenever ministry looses the characteristic
of service and reaching out then it degenerates into the opposite to ministry,
to self-indulgence and self-promotion.”
Above continued here: Catholic Ireland News - Ordination of Permanent Deacons
Jimmy Fennell is a parishioner of St. Agnes Parish, Crumlin
who runs his own electrical repair business. He has been actively
involved in the Brú Youth Service in Crumlin and spent many years as an
officer in the Naval Reserve.
Michael Giblin, from Knocklyon, is married to Eileen.
They have three children. He is an IT Manager and has been actively
involved for many years in St. Colmcille’s Parish, serving among other things
as Chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council.
Derek Leonard is a parishioner of St. Mochta’s Parish,
Porterstown, where he lives with his wife Orla and their son and daughter. A
businessperson, Derek has been involved in the parish faith-friends programme,
helping children to prepare for Confirmation.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Priests Ordained for Diocese of Ardagh & Clonmacnoise and Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin
Rev. Anthony Gilhooly, Drumshanbo will be ordained to the
Priesthood for the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois by Bishop Colm O’Reilly in
St. Patrick’s Church, Drumshanbo at 3pm today 23rd June 2013.
And for the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin, the ordination of Terence McGovern takes place in the Cathedral of the
Assumption, Carlow also today 23rd June 2013
Lord Jesus, you have chosen your priests from among us and sent them out to proclaim your word and to act in your name. For so great a gift to your Church, we give you praise and thanksgiving. We ask you to fill them with the fire of your love, that their ministry may reveal your presence in the Church. Since they are earthen vessels, we pray that your power shine out throught their weakness. In their afflictions let them never be crushed; in their doubts never despair; in temptation never be destroyed; in persecution never abandoned. Inspire them through prayer to live each day the mystery of your dying and rising. In times of weakness send them your Spirit, and help them to praise your heavenly Father and pray for poor sinners. By the same Holy Spirit put your words on their lips and your love in their hearts, to bring good news to the poor and healing to the brokenhearted. And may the gift of Mary your mother, to the disciple whom you loved, be your gift to every priest. Grant that she who formed you in her human image, may form them in your divinee image, by the power of your Spirit, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Ordination of Rev. Paul Murphy next Sunday 30th June
The Archdiocese of Armagh looks forward to the Priestly
ordination of Rev Paul Murphy on Sunday 30th June at 3pm at the Church
of The Immaculate Conception Belfast before moving to The Irish
College, Rome for his Theology
studies. Rev Paul Murphy has been ministering as a Deacon in the parish
of Drogheda for the last year while studying Liturgy in
St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.
In the picture above, Rev Paul assisting at the recent Ordination of
Archbishop Eamon Martin at St.Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh .
Year of Faith - The Saints - St. Etheldreda, Abbess of Ely
June 23.—ST. ETHELDREDA, Abbess.
BORN and brought up in the fear of God—her mother and three
sisters are numbered among the Saints—Etheldreda had but one aim in life, to
devote herself to His service in the religious state. Her parents, however, had
other views for her, and, in spite of her tears and prayers, she was compelled
to become the wife of Tonbercht, a tributary of the Mercian king. She lived
with him as a virgin for three years, and at his death retired to the isle of
Ely, that she might apply herself wholly to heavenly things. This happiness was
but short-lived; for Egfrid, the powerful King of Northumbria, pressed his suit
upon her with such eagerness that she was forced into a second marriage.
Her life at his court was that of an
ascetic rather than a queen: she lived with him not as a wife but as a sister,
and, observing a scrupulous regularity of discipline, devoted her time to works
of mercy and love. After twelve years, she retired with her husband's consent
to Coldingham Abbey, which was then under the rule of St. Ebba, and received
the veil from the hands of St. Wilfrid. As soon as Etheldreda had left the
court of her husband, he repented of having consented to her departure, and
followed her, meaning to bring her back by force.
She took refuge on a headland
on the coast near Coldingham; and here a miracle took place, for the waters
forced themselves a passage round the hill, barring the further advance of
Egfrid. The Saint remained on this island refuge for seven days, till the king,
recognizing the divine will, agreed to leave her in peace. God, Who by a
miracle confirmed the Saint's vocation, will not fail us if, with a single
heart, we elect for Him. In 672 she returned to Ely, and founded there a double
monastery. The nunnery she governed herself, and was by her example a living
rule of perfection to her sisters. Some time after her death, in 679, her body
was found incorrupt, and St. Bede records many miracles worked by her relics.
Reflection—The soul cannot truly serve God while it is
involved in the distractions and pleasures of the world. Etheldreda knew this,
and chose rather to be a servant of Christ her Lord than the mistress of an
earthly court. Resolve, in whatever status you are, to live absolutely detached
from the world, and to separate yourself as much as possible from it.
Above from: Sacred Texts.com
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Year of Faith - The Saints - St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More
Feastday: June 22
Patron of Diocese ofRochester
1469 - 1535
Patron of Diocese of
1469 - 1535
St. John Fisher was born in Beverly ,
Yorkshire , in 1459, and educated at Cambridge ,
from which he received his Master of Arts degree in 1491. He occupied
the vicarage of Northallerton, 1491-1494; then he became proctor of Cambridge
University Cambridge ;
he created scholarships, introduced Greek and Hebrew into the curriculum, and
brought in the world-famous Erasmus as professor of Divinity and Greek. In
1504, he became Bishop of Rochester and Chancellor of Cambridge, in which
capacity he also tutored Prince Henry who was to become Henry VIII.St.
John was dedicated to the welfare of his diocese and his
university.
From 1527, this humble servant of God actively opposed
the King's divorce proceedings against Catherine, his wife in the sight of God,
and steadfastly resisted the encroachment of Henry on the Church. Unlike the
other Bishops of the realm, St. John refused
to take the oath of succession which acknowledged the issue of Henry and Anne
as the legitimate heir to the throne, and he was imprisoned in the tower in
April 1534. The next year he was made a Cardinal by Paul III and Henry
retaliated by having him beheaded within a month. A half hour before his
execution, this dedicated scholar and churchman opened his New
Testament for the last time and his eyes fell on the following
words from St. John's Gospel: "Eternal life is this: to know
You, the only true God, and Him Whom You have sent, Jesus Christ. I have
given You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave me to do. Do
You now, Father, give me glory at Your side". Closing the book,
he observed: "There is enough learning in that to last me the rest of my
life." His feast day is June 22.
Feast Day: June 22
Patron of Lawyers
Died: 1535
Died: 1535
St. Thomas More, Martyr (Patron of
Lawyers) St. Thomas More was born at A wit and a reformer, this learned man numbered Bishops and scholars among his friends, and by 1516 wrote his world-famous book "Utopia". He attracted the attention of Henry VIII who appointed him to a succession of high posts and missions, and finally made him Lord Chancellor in 1529.
However, he resigned in 1532, at the
height of his career and reputation, when Henry persisted in holding his own
opinions regarding marriage and the supremacy of the Pope. The rest of
his life was spent in writing mostly in defense of the Church. In 1534,
with his close friend, St. John Fisher, he refused to render
allegiance to the King as the Head of the Church of England and was confined to
the Tower. Fifteen months later, and nine days after St. John Fisher's
execution, he was tried and convicted of treason. He told the court that he
could not go against his conscience and wished his judges that
"we may yet hereafter in heaven merrily all meet together to
everlasting salvation." And on the scaffold, he told the crowd of
spectators that he was dying as "the King's good servant-but God's
first." He was beheaded on July 6,
1535 . His feast day is June 22nd.
Above from: Catholic.org
PRAYER:
O God, who in martyrdom
have brought true faith to its highest expression,
graciously grant
that, strengthened through the intercession
of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More,
we may confirm by the witness of our life
the faith we profess with our lips.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Choose Life Newsletter No.5
The Choose Life Newsletter No.5 is now available from the
Catholic Communications Office of the Irish Bishops Conference
for all Parishes.
Please continue to Pray and do Penance for the protection of the
Child in the Womb and for Mothers.
For printout of Newsletter go to: Choose Life Newsletter No.5
Let us not give in to discouragement but continue to
Pray with an attitude of Faith and Trust in God
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Abortion Legislation in Ireland will lead to the direct and intentional destruction of the life of an innocent baby in the womb, if introduced.
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A recent RTE News at One interview by Sean O'Rourke
with Archbishop Eamon Martin on the proposed abortion legislation.
'People are being mislead because a lot of the spin that is
out there with regard to this critical legislation is that it is in some way
life saving or pro life. We think that legalising the direct and intentional
destruction of the life of an unborn baby can never be described in that way.
We challenge the repeated statements that the legislation will involve no
change to the law or practice on abortion in Ireland, in fact we feel it will
fundamentally change the whole culture of medical practice in Ireland because
for the first time there'll be legislation enacted that permits the deliberate
and intentional killing of an unborn child. That's a radical change'.
_____________________________________________
Abortion is built on lies and is an act of evil against the Sanctity of human life. This legislation is nothing to do with protecting life. Please continue to Pray and Do Penance for the real and true protection of the Life of the Unborn Child and Mothers. Pray with Faith and continue to ask the intercession of the Irish Martyrs today and all the Saints. Do not give up nor become discouraged. Have Faith !
Dr. Bernard N. Nathanson (July 31, 1926 – February 21,
2011) was an American medical doctor from New
York who helped to found the National
Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws, but later became a pro-life activist. Here is what he said about the tactics used to legalise abortion;
Year of Faith - The Saints - The Irish Martyrs
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Today we remember the 17 Irish Martyrs who were beatified on the
Bl. John Paul II and we ask their intercession for our country at this time. We pray to them with an attitude of faith and hope as they had in the Lord, who is Lord of all Life. All martyrs lay down their life for Jesus Christ who is our Way, our Truth and our Life. Their faith meant more to them than their careers or their very lives and hence they inherited the Eternal Life and the glorious crown of martyrdom where their happiness and joy will never end in the Kingdom of the Lord.
Margaret Bermingham Ball 1584,
Patrick Cavanagh, 5
July 1581
Edward Cheevers, 5
July 1581
Dominic Collins, Jesuit lay brother from Youghal, Co. Cork ,
31 October 1602
John Kearney, Franciscan Prior of Cashel, 1653
Matthew Lambert, 5
July 1581
Maurice MacKenraghty, Chaplain to the Earl of Desmond
Robert Myler, 5 July
1581
Terence Albert O'Brien O.P., Bishop of Emly , 31 October 1651
Conor O’Devany, Franciscan Bishop of Down & Connor, 11 February 1612
Patrick O'Healy, Franciscan Bishop of Mayo, 31 August 1579
Peter O'Higgins O.P., Prior of Naas, 23 March 1642
Dermot O'Hurley, Archbishop of Cashel, 20 June 1584
Patrick O'Loughran, priest from Co. Tyrone, 11 February 1612
Conn O'Rourke, Franciscan priest, 31 August 1579
Francis Taylor, former Mayor of Dublin
William Tirry, Augustinian priest from Cork 12 May 1654
Prayer
Holy Martyrs of Ireland, you witnessed by giving your own lives for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please intercede for Ireland and its leaders at this crucial time. Help us to believe and put our trust in the Lord to protect the lives of innocent human beings and that we may know and learn to cherish the faith that you gave your very lives for. Help us to have courage, and witness to the Truth of the Gospel and return to a greater faith in the
True Presence of Jesus Christ who is with us in the Most Holy Eucharist.
Grant us also the grace of final perseverance.
We ask this through your most powerful intercession today,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Picture above is of Bl. Dominic Collins (Jesuit brother)
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Year of Faith - The Saints - Ven. Matt Talbot
Matthew Talbot was born on May 2, 1856 , the second of 12 siblings, in Dublin ,
Ireland
Matthew worked as a messenger boy when he was twelve and
then transferred to another messenger job at the same place his father worked.
After working there for three years, he became a bricklayer's laborer. He was a
hodman, which meant he fetched mortar and bricks for the bricklayers. He was
considered "the best hodman in Dublin .
As he grew into an adult, he continued to drink excessively,
He continued to work but spent all his wages on heavy drinking. When he got
drunk, he became very hot-tempered, got into fights, and swore. He became so
desperate for more drinks that he would buy drinks on credit, sell his boots or
possessions, or steal people's possession so he could exchange it for more
drinks. He refused to listen to his mother's plea to stop drinking. He
eventually lost his own self-respect. One day when he was broke, he loitered
around a street corner waiting for his "friends", who were leaving
work after they were paid their wages. He had hoped that they would invite him
for a drink but they ignored him. Dejected, he went home and publicly resolved
to his mother, "I'm going to take the pledge." His mother smiled and
responded, "Go, in God's name, but don't take it unless you are going to
keep it." As Matthew was leaving, she continued, "May God give you
strength to keep it."
Matthew went straight to confession at Clonliffe College and
took a pledge not to drink for three months.
The next day he went back to
Church and received communion for the first time in years. From that moment on,
in 1884 when he was 28 years old, he became a new man. After the he
successfully fulfilled his pledge for three months, he made a life long pledge.
He even made a pledge to give up his pipe and tobacco. He used to use about
seven ounces of tobacco a week. He said to the late Sean T. O'Ceallaigh, former
President of Ireland, that it cost him more to give up tobacco that to give up
alcohol.
The new converted Matthew never swore. He was good humored
and amicable to everyone. He continued to work as a hodman and then as a laborer
for timber merchants. He used his wages to pay back all his debts. He lived
modestly and his home was very spartan. He developed into a very pious
individual who prayed every chance he got. He attended Mass every morning and
made devotions like the Stations of the Cross or devotions to the Blessed mother
in the evenings. He fasted, performed acts of mortification, and financially
supported many religious organizations. He read biographies of St. Teresa of
Avila, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Catherine of Sienna. He later joined the
Third Order of St. Francis on October 18, 1891 even though a young pious girl
proposed to marry him. Physically, he suffered from kidney and heart ailments.
During the two times he was hospitalized, he spent much time in Eucharistic
adoration in the hospital chapel.
Matt was on his way to Holy Mass on Trinity Sunday, 7 June 1925 , when he collapsed and
died of heart failure on Granby Lane
in Dublin . He was 69 years old. Nobody at the scene was
able to identify him. His body was taken to Jervis
Street Hospital Glasnevin
Cemetery 11 June 1925 . In 1972 his remains
were removed to a tomb in Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Sean
McDermott Street , Dublin
"Three things I cannot escape: the eye of God, the
voice of conscience, the stroke of death. In company, guard your tongue. In
your family, guard your temper. When alone guard your thoughts."
Prayer for the Canonisation of Matt Talbot
Lord, in your servant, Matt Talbot
you have given us a wonderful example
of triumph over addiction, of devotion to duty,
and of lifelong reverence for the Most Holy Sacrament.
May his life of prayer and penance give us courage
to take up our crosses and follow in the footsteps
of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Father, if it be your will that your beloved servant
should be glorified by your Church,
make known by your heavenly favours
the power he enjoys in your sight.
We ask this through the same Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
St. Joseph to be included in the Eucharistic Prayers at Holy Mass
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments said Pope Francis confirmed a decision originally made by Pope Benedict to include
A decree signed May 1 by Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera, congregation prefect, and Archbishop Arthur Roche, congregation secretary, said Pope Benedict had received petitions from Catholics around the world and approved adding after the name of the Virgin Mary, the words "with blessed Joseph, her spouse.".
Blessed John XXIII had added the name of
A congregation official told Catholic News Service June 18 that national bishops' conferences could set a date for the changes to begin if they believe that is necessary, "but because it is a matter of only adding five words, priests can begin immediately."
The decree described
Above from: Catholic News Service
Link to the Decree issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
The Holy Priesthood - Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI & Bl. John Paul II
The Clergy shortage and the Pastoral care of Vocations
(Section From Sacramentum Caritatis - Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI )
25. In the light of the connection between the sacrament of
Holy Orders and the Eucharist, the Synod considered the difficult situation
that has arisen in various Dioceses which face a shortage of priests. This
happens not only in some areas of first evangelization, but also in many
countries of long-standing Christian tradition. Certainly a more equitable
distribution of clergy would help to solve the problem. Efforts need to be made
to encourage a greater awareness of this situation at every level. Bishops
should involve Institutes of Consecrated Life and the new ecclesial groups in
their pastoral needs, while respecting their particular charisms, and they
should invite the clergy to become more open to serving the Church wherever
there is need, even if this calls for sacrifice. (78) The Synod also discussed
pastoral initiatives aimed at promoting, especially among the young, an
attitude of interior openness to a priestly calling. The situation cannot be
resolved by purely practical decisions.
On no account should Bishops react to
real and understandable concerns about the shortage of priests by failing to
carry out adequate vocational discernment, or by admitting to seminary
formation and ordination candidates who lack the necessary qualities for
priestly ministry (79). An insufficiently formed clergy, admitted to ordination
without the necessary discernment, will not easily be able to offer a witness
capable of evoking in others the desire to respond generously to Christ's call.
The pastoral care of vocations needs to involve the entire Christian community
in every area of its life. (80) Obviously, this pastoral work on all levels
also includes exploring the matter with families, which are often indifferent
or even opposed to the idea of a priestly vocation. Families should generously
embrace the gift of life and bring up their children to be open to doing God's
will. In a word, they must have the courage to set before young people the
radical decision to follow Christ, showing them how deeply rewarding it is.
Section of Letter on Holy Thursday 1979 - Bl. John Paul II to Priests
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Dear Brothers: you who have borne "the burden of the
day and the heat" (Mt 20:12), who have put your hand to the plough and do
not turn back (cf. Lk 9:62), and perhaps even more those of you who are
doubtful of the meaning of your vocation or of the value of your service: think
of the places where people anxiously await a Priest, and where for many years;
feeling the lack of such a Priest, they do not cease to hope for his presence.
And sometimes it happens that they meet in an abandoned shrine, and place on
the altar a stole which they still keep, and recite all the prayers of the
Eucharistic liturgy; and then, at the moment that corresponds to the
transubstantiation a deep silence comes down upon them, a silence sometimes
broken by a sob… so ardently do they desire to hear the words that only the
lips of a Priest can efficaciously utter. So much do they desire Eucharistic
Communion, in which they can share only through the ministry of a priest, just
as they also so eagerly wait to hear the divine words of pardon: Ego te
absolvo a peccatis tuis! So deeply do they feel the absence of a Priest
among them!... Such places are not lacking in the world. So if one of you
doubts the meaning of his priesthood, if he thinks it is "socially"
fruitless or useless, reflect on this!
We must be converted every day, we must rediscover every day
the gift obtained from Christ himself in the sacrament of Orders, by
penetrating the importance of the salvific mission of the Church and by
reflecting on the great meaning of our vocation in the light of that mission.
___________________________________________________
Let us pray for Vocations to the Priesthood in Ireland and for a deeper faith and renewal in prayer and reverence for the True Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist who is the source of all good and holy Vocations. We will not be able to renew the life of the Church without a return to a more profound and deeper awareness in the True Presence of Christ who is with us in the Most Holy Eucharist. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Bl. John Paul II constantly reminded us of this in their Pontificates.
___________________________________________________
Let us pray for Vocations to the Priesthood in Ireland and for a deeper faith and renewal in prayer and reverence for the True Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist who is the source of all good and holy Vocations. We will not be able to renew the life of the Church without a return to a more profound and deeper awareness in the True Presence of Christ who is with us in the Most Holy Eucharist. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Bl. John Paul II constantly reminded us of this in their Pontificates.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Ordination of Priest for Derry Diocese
Fr. Micheál McGavigan, was ordained for the Priesthood
in the Derry Diocese on Sunday 16th June by Archbishop Eamon Martin, in St Columb’s Chapel, Waterside,
Please also remember in prayer, over the coming weeks, Rev
Brendan Collins, from Clanabogan, who is due to be ordained to priesthood on
Sunday 25 August, in Sacred Heart
Church Derry .
Pope: Selfish living leads to slavery, death
Vatican City, Jun 16, 2013 / 06:25 am (CNA/EWTN News).-
As he met with thousands of pro-life advocates from around the globe, Pope
Francis stressed that the Gospel is the “way to freedom and life,” but
lifestyles that are “dictated by selfishness” lead to slavery and death.
“Dear brothers and sisters,” the Pope urged, “let us look to
God as the God of Life, let us look to his law, to the Gospel message, as the
way to freedom and life. The Living God sets us free!”
He addressed his homily for the June 16 Mass in St. Peter’s
Square to pilgrims from Australia, Asia, Europe and North and South America,
who filled the famous piazza up to its gates.
They were also joined in the square by around 1,400 people
on their Harley-Davidson motorcycles, who came to Rome to celebrate 110 years
of the iconic American machine and to receive the Pope’s blessing during the
Angelus prayer that followed the Mass.
Pope Francis based his homily on the first reading from 2 Samuel, which recounts King David committing adultery with Bathsheba and conspiring to have her husband killed, and the Gospel reading from Luke 4, where Jesus forgives the adulterous woman of her sins.
Pope Francis based his homily on the first reading from 2 Samuel, which recounts King David committing adultery with Bathsheba and conspiring to have her husband killed, and the Gospel reading from Luke 4, where Jesus forgives the adulterous woman of her sins.
He finished his homily by invoking the intercession of
“Mary, Mother of Life,” asking her “to help us receive and bear constant
witness to the ‘Gospel of Life.’”
Above from CNA, : Catholic News Agency - Pope: Selfish living leads to slavery, death
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Vigil for Life Mass in St. Peter & Paul's Church, Athlone - 26th June
Chief Celebrant: Bishop Christopher Jones
Diocese of Elphin
Continue to Pray with Faith & do Penance
for the Protection of Life in Ireland
Life Is Sacred...Abortion is a direct attack on
the Sanctity of Human Life
Pastoral Letter in defence of unborn human life by Bishop of Cork & Ross - Read out at all Masses throughout Ireland today
The Government is proposing to introduce legislation for the
first time in Irish history which will provide for the direct and intentional
ending of the life of innocent human beings. Few other actions of a
Government undermine our values as a people more profoundly. It is always
gravely wrong to deliberately end or destroy a human life or to facilitate this
through legislation. On Saturday last, tens of thousands of women, men
and children gathered in Dublin to
express their support for the equal right to life of mothers and their unborn
children.
Every human life is sacred. Every human life is
precious. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5).
Biology and technology show that an individual human life begins at
conception. The child in the womb must enjoy the same human rights as all
other people, among which is the unassailable right of an innocent person to
life. Human rights derive from our very nature as human beings.
There is no such thing as a human right to end the life of an innocent human
being.
The Bill is not necessary to ensure that women receive the
life-saving treatments they need during pregnancy. The medical treatment
of mothers whose lives are in danger is always morally permissible even if this
results in the unintended death of a child in the womb. The Catholic
Church has never taught that the life in the womb should be preferred to that
of the mother. Current law and medical guidelines in Ireland
allow nurses and doctors in Irish hospitals to apply this vital distinction in
practice. People supporting abortion are blurring the distinction between
medical intervention and an abortion which is the direct ending of the life of
the unborn child.
The Government is under no obligation to legislate for
the X case. It is certain, as has happened in all other countries, that
over time this legislation will be interpreted in an ever more permissive
way. There is no such thing as a restrictive abortion regime. Every
citizen, not just people of faith, should be deeply
concerned.
There is no clinical research or textbooks in psychiatry
which support the idea that abortion is an appropriate treatment for
suicide. The vast majority of psychiatrists at the recent hearings,
regardless of their pro-life or pro-choice leanings, testified that abortion
was never an appropriate, never mind a necessary, treatment for pregnant women
with suicidal intent. The Government is not listening to the views of
those who oppose abortion. It is indeed a tragedy for our society when we
regard the deliberate destruction of a completely innocent person as a cure or
a morally acceptable response to the preventable death of another person.
If, for example, a woman threatened suicide because she believed herself
unable to care for her recently delivered baby, I am certain that she would not
consider ending the life of the baby.
We are conscious that some mothers today are facing
difficult or crisis pregnancies and also that, during the current debate,
people who have had, or who have assisted with abortions, may be re-living what
happened in the past. We must always support women who find themselves in
crisis pregnancies. The pro-life commitment of the Church is reflected in
her compassion for those who so often regret having had an abortion and in our
understanding of those who are facing difficult decisions.
Our public representatives should remember that they are
voting for a Bill without limits and that there is no opt-out clause for
Catholic hospitals and healthcare workers. Not even Britain ,
with its permissive abortion laws, goes this far. Also, those public
representatives who represent us, through the mandate we have conferred on
them, are not allowed to exercise their right of freedom of conscience in
relation to how they vote on this issue. No one has the right to coerce people
to act against their conscience. This is the foundation of a free and
civilized society. I recall the words of Saint Thomas More, Chancellor of
England: “I die the King’s good servant, but God’s first”. We admire the
courage of this brave man. People should exercise their right to make
their views known respectfully to those who represent us and leave them in no
doubt where they stand on this issue.
I am also asking you to pray for mothers and their
unborn babies that they will continue to be protected, cherished and
safeguarded from all harm and that our legislators will provide clarity in the
form of guidelines for current medical practice that do not envisage the direct
and intentional killing of the unborn and which will be legally, medically and
morally acceptable.
Praying the Lord’s blessing on you and all at this
particular time.
I remain,
Yours sincerely,
+John Buckley,
Bishop of Cork
Above from;
Evangelium Vitae - Encyclical by Bl. John Paul II on the Value and Inviolability of Human Life
INTRODUCTION
1. The Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus' message.
Lovingly received day after day by the Church, it is to be preached with
dauntless fidelity as "good news" to the people of every age and
culture.
At the dawn of salvation, it is the Birth of a Child which
is proclaimed as joyful news: "I bring you good news of a great joy which
will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a
Saviour, who is Christ the Lord" (Lk 2:10-11). The source of this
"great joy" is the Birth of the Saviour; but Christmas also reveals
the full meaning of every human birth, and the joy which accompanies the Birth
of the Messiah is thus seen to be the foundation and fulfilment of joy at every
child born into the world (cf. Jn 16:21).
When he presents the heart of his redemptive mission, Jesus
says: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (Jn 10:10 ). In truth, he is referring to that
"new" and "eternal" life which consists in communion with
the Father, to which every person is freely called in the Son by the power of
the Sanctifying Spirit. It is precisely in this "life" that all the
aspects and stages of human life achieve their full significance.
The incomparable
worth of the human person
2. Man is called to a fullness of life which far exceeds the
dimensions of his earthly existence, because it consists in sharing the very
life of God. The loftiness of this supernatural vocation reveals the greatness
and the inestimable value of human life even in its temporal phase. Life in
time, in fact, is the fundamental condition, the initial stage and an integral
part of the entire unified process of human existence. It is a process which,
unexpectedly and undeservedly, is enlightened by the promise and renewed by the
gift of divine life, which will reach its full realization in eternity (cf. 1
Jn 3:1-2). At the same time, it is precisely this supernatural calling which
highlights the relative character of each individual's earthly life. After all,
life on earth is not an "ultimate" but a "penultimate"
reality; even so, it remains a sacred reality entrusted to us, to be preserved
with a sense of responsibility and brought to perfection in love and in the
gift of ourselves to God and to our brothers and sisters.
The Church knows that this Gospel of life, which she has
received from her Lord, 1 has a profound and persuasive echo in the
heart of every person-believer and non-believer alike-because it marvellously
fulfils all the heart's expectations while infinitely surpassing them. Even in
the midst of difficulties and uncertainties, every person sincerely open to truth
and goodness can, by the light of reason and the hidden action of grace, come
to recognize in the natural law written in the heart (cf. Rom 2:14-15) the
sacred value of human life from its very beginning until its end, and can
affirm the right of every human being to have this primary good respected to
the highest degree. Upon the recognition of this right, every human community
and the political community itself are founded.
In a special way, believers in Christ must defend and
promote this right, aware as they are of the wonderful truth recalled by the
Second Vatican Council: "By his incarnation the Son of God has united
himself in some fashion with every human being".2 This saving event reveals to humanity not
only the boundless love of God who "so loved the world that he gave his
only Son" (Jn 3:16 ), but also
the incomparable value of every human person.
The Church, faithfully contemplating the mystery of the
Redemption, acknowledges this value with ever new wonder.3 She feels called to proclaim to the people
of all times this "Gospel", the source of invincible hope and true
joy for every period of history. The Gospel of God's love for man, the Gospel
of the dignity of the person and the Gospel of life are a single and indivisible
Gospel.
For this reason, man-living man-represents the primary and
fundamental way for the Church
For full Encyclical go to; Vatican - Encyclical Evangelium Vitae - Bl .John Paul II
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Evangelium Vitae - Celebrate and Defend the Dignity of Human Life
Above video link; Rome Reports - Evangelium Vitae; Pope to celebrate Holy Mass for Life
The Catholic bishops ofIreland
have asked the faithful in parishes all over the country to join Pope Francis
this weekend in praying in support of the “Gospel of
Life”. Celebrating the encyclical letter Evangelium Vitae, Pope
Francis will join in the special event entitled, ‘Believing, May They Have
Life’ which begins today. The initiative is part of the Year of Faith.
The Catholic bishops of
“It is so important that the Gospel of Life, which defends
the principal right, the right to life, is shown as connected with the new
evangelisation,” said Fr Eugene Silva one of the organizers behind Evangelium
Vitae Day.
The event begins with education conferences according to
language groups, studying Pope John Paul II's encyclical which expresses the
position of the Catholic Church regarding the value and inviolability of human
life.
Cardinal Burke will give the keynote address to the English
language conference.This evening there will be a candlelight procession
at 8.30pm Rome time, down the Via del Conciliazione, punctuated by readings
from John Paul II’s ‘Evangelium Vitae’ and the sharing of a number of personal
testimonies.
The procession will end in a prayer service and vigil at St
Peter’s Square. Sponsored by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the
New Evangelization, the event is expected to draw tens of thousands of
parishes, communities, youth groups, voluntary associations for the sick and
disabled and ordinary families.
Referring to the silent candlelit procession, Fr
Silva said the silence would be offered “in the memory of the lives lost
in the culture of death”.
Above from and continued here;
Catholic Ireland News - Bishops ask faithful to pray with Pope for coming of 'Gospel of Life'
Please also note the Dundalk Vigil for Life takes place today Saturday 15th June at 3pm.
Please also note the Dundalk Vigil for Life takes place today Saturday 15th June at 3pm.
Year of Faith - The Saints - St. Germaine Cousin (France)
June 15 is the feast day of St. Germaine Cousin, a simple
and pious young girl who lived in
Her father remarried soon after the death of her mother, but
his new wife was filled with disgust by Germaine's condition. She tormented and
neglected Germaine, and taught her siblings to do so as well.
Starving and sick, Germaine was eventually kicked out of the
house and forced to sleep under the stairway in the barn, on a pile of leaves
and twigs, because of her stepmother’s dislike of her and disgust of her condition.
She tended to the family's flock of sheep everyday.
Despite her hardships, she lived each day full of
thanksgiving and joy, and spent much of her time praying the Rosary and
teaching the village children about the love of God. She was barely fed and had
an emaciated figure, yet despite this she shared the little bread that she had
with the poor of the village.
From her simple faith grew a deep holiness and profound
trust in God. She went to Mass everyday, leaving her sheep in the care of her
guardian angel, who never failed her. Germaine’s deep piety was looked upon
with ridicule by the villagers, but not by the children, who were drawn to her
holiness.
God protected Germaine and showered his favor upon her. It
was reported that on days when the river was high, the waters would part so
that she could pass through them on her way to Mass. One day in winter, when
she was being chased by her stepmother who accused her of stealing bread, she
opened her apron and fresh summer flowers fell out. She offered the flowers to
her stepmother as a sign of forgiveness.
Eventually, the adults of the village began to realize the
special holiness of this poor, crippled shepherdess. Germaine's parents
eventually offered her a place back in their house, but she chose to remain in
her humble place outside.
Just as the villagers were realizing the beauty of her life,
God called her to Himself. Her father found her body on her bed of leaves one
morning in her 22nd year of life.
Forty-three years later, when a relative of hers was being
buried, Germaine’s casket was opened and her body was found incorrupt. People
in the surrounding area began praying for her intercession and obtaining
miraculous cures for illnesses.
St. Germaine was canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1867 and inscribed
into the canon of virgins.
St. Germaine pray for us and help us to have respect for all human life and especially those who are the most vulnerable.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Pope Francis - The grace not to speak ill of others
Pope Francis concluded: “I would ask the Lord to give us all
the grace to watch our tongues, to watch what we say about others." “It is
a small penance - he added - but it bears a lot of fruit."
"Sometimes, we go hungry and think, ‘What a pity I didn’t taste the fruit
of a tasty comment against another person." But, he said, "that
hunger bears fruit in the long run is good for us." That's why we ask the
Lord for this grace: to adapt our lives "to this new law, which is the law
of meekness, the law of love, the law of peace, and at least 'prune' our
tongues a little, ‘prune’ the comments that we make of others and outbursts
that lead us to an easy anger or insult. May the Lord grant us all this grace".Full text of homily at: Catholic Ireland News - Pope Francis: The grace not to speak ill of others
Vigil for Life, Dundalk - Saturday 15th June
Vigil for Life,
Market Square, Dundalk
Saturday 15th June
3pm - 4pm
All are welcome to attend
The Vigil is being jointly organised by the
Louth Prolife
Network and
the Armagh Diocesan Pastoral Council.
For more information
St. Ambrose on the Psalms
Today in the Second Reading of the Office of Readings, St. Ambrose reflects on the Psalms, below is a section of what he wrote;
St Ambrose's commentaries on the Psalms
The delightful book of the psalms
Although the whole of Scripture breathes God’s grace upon
us, this is especially true of that delightful book, the book of the psalms.
Moses, when he related the deeds of the patriarchs, did so in a plain and
unadorned style. But when he had miraculously led the people of Israel
across the Red Sea , when he had seen King Pharaoh
drowned with all his army, he transcended his own skills (just as the miracle
had transcended his own powers) and he sang a triumphal song to the Lord.
Miriam the prophetess herself took up a timbrel and led the others in the
refrain: Sing to the Lord: he has covered himself in glory, horse and
rider he has thrown into the sea.
History instructs us, the law teaches us,
prophecy foretells, correction punishes, morality persuades; but the book of
psalms goes further than all these. It is medicine for our spiritual health.
Whoever reads it will find in it a medicine to cure the wounds caused by his
own particular passions. Whoever studies it deeply will find it a kind of
gymnasium open for all souls to use, where the different psalms are like
different exercises set out before him. In that gymnasium, in that stadium of
virtue, he can choose the exercises that will train him best to win the
victor’s crown.
If someone wants to study the deeds of our
ancestors and imitate the best of them, he can find a single psalm that
contains the whole of their history, a complete treasury of past memories in
just one short reading.
For the full text of the above reading and Office go to;
Jesus to His Priests, 'Speak about my unfathomable Mercy' - Diary of St. Faustina
Jesus to St. Faustina: “My daughter, do not tire of
proclaiming My Mercy. In this way you will refresh this Heart of Mine, which
burns with a flame of pity for sinners. Tell my Priests that hardened sinners
will repent on hearing their words, when they speak about My unfathomable
mercy, about the compassion I have for them in My Heart. To Priests who will
proclaim and extol My Mercy, I will give wondrous power, and I will anoint
their words and touch the hearts of those to whom they will speak.” (Diary of St. Faustina #1521)Thursday, June 13, 2013
Prayers for the Child in the Womb
Prayer to God the Father of all Life
Eternal God, You have revealed Yourself as the Father of all
Life. We praise You for the Fatherly care which You extend to all creation, and
especially to us, made in Your image and likeness.
Father, extend Your hand of protection to those threatened
by abortion, and save them from its destructive power. Give Your strength to
all fathers, that they may never give in to the fears that may tempt them to
facilitate abortions.
Bless our families and bless our land, that we may have the
joy of welcoming and nurturing the life of which You are the source and the
Eternal Father. Amen.
Redeemer in the Womb
Lord Jesus Christ, You took our human nature upon Yourself.
You shared our life and death, our childhood and adulthood.
You also shared our time in the womb. While still God, while
worshiped and adored by the angels, while Almighty and filling every part of
the universe, You dwelt for nine months in the womb of Mary. You were our
Redeemer in the womb, our God who was a preborn child.
Lord Jesus, we ask You to bless and protect the
children who today are in their mothers' womb. Save them from the danger of
abortion. Give their mothers the grace to sacrifice themselves, in body and
soul, for their children. Help all people to recognize in the preborn child a
brother, a sister, saved by You, our Redeemer in the womb.
Prayers from Priests for Life - Prayers
Appointments at the Summer General Meeting of Irish Catholic Bishops
Appointments
The Bishops’ Conference welcomed its new members: Archbishop
Eamon Martin, Coadjutor Archbishop of
On the retirement of Bishop John Kirby, Bishop of Clonfert,
as chairman of Trocáire, the Bishops’ Conference appointed Bishop William
Crean, Bishop of Cloyne, as the new chair of Trócaire and as a member of the
Trustees of Trócaire. Bishops expressed their gratitude to Bishop Kirby
for his twenty years of service as chair of the overseas aid agency, and
praised Bishop Kirby’s energy and dedication to promoting Catholic social
teaching through work of Trócaire.
Bishops paid tribute to Father Patrick Jones on his
retirement, after twenty one years of service, as Executive Secretary of the
Council for Liturgy and as Director of the National Centre for Liturgy in
Maynooth. In particular bishops expressed their gratitude to Father Jones
for his work regarding the introduction of the new edition of the Roman
Missal.
Bishops appointed Father Danny Murphy, Diocese of Cloyne, as the
new Executive Secretary of the Council for Liturgy and as Director of the
National Centre for Liturgy.
Bishops appointed Reverend Dr Thomas Norris, Diocese of
Ossory, as the new Spiritual Director in the Pontifical
Irish College Rome . Father Norris was
formerly the Associate Professor of Systematic Theology in Saint Patrick’s
College, Maynooth.
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