We Are Catholic.

Beautiful video! Makes one proud to be Catholic! Mahalo to the Anchoress

ACN News - Catholic church desecrated in India

A Catholic church in India that has been repeatedly vandalized was once again desecrated at the end of August.

On repeated occasions, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Mother Mary Church of Hyderabad has been subjected to acts of vandalism. In the latest incident, the main altar as well as bibles, mass and song books, crucifixes and liturgical gowns were set on fire.

The parish priest, Father John Felix, wrote in an open letter to the authorities of the State of Andhra Pradesh that such an incident could only occur “on account of the inactivity and neglect of the police and other authorities.”

In the letter, which was made available to international Catholic pastoral charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the priest complained that proceedings relating to attacks perpetrated in the years 2004 and 2008 have been closed by the police with no action being taken.

In July 2004, parishioners, including a priest, who were working on the building site where the church was being constructed, were physically attacked by a mob of some 100 people who abused them and threatened to kill them.

In July 2008, the doors of the church, which had been completed in 2006, were locked from the outside during a service, although close to 250 faithful were in the building, including infants, as well as aged and sick people.

“In order to avoid further conflicts, we followed the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, i.e. we practiced forgiveness and love of enemies,” the parish priest emphasized.

But he called on the authorities to reopen the past proceedings and to investigate the latest incident, because the congregation was “under constant threat.”

In reply to an enquiry from ACN, the responsible Bishop, Jacob Mar Barnabas, explained that the church is currently under police protection, but that the parish intends to repair the damage as quickly as possible.

He called on Catholics throughout the world to pray for his flock, because there are “people in the district who do not want to have the church here.”

As an Eastern Catholic Church, the Syro-Malankara Church in India is in full communion with the Holy See. It has some 430,000 faithful.

With photos of the vandalized church in Hyderabad.

Editor’s Notes:

Directly under the Holy Father, Aid to the Church in Need supports the faithful wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in pastoral need.  ACN is a Catholic charity - helping to bring Christ to the world through prayer, information and action.

Founded in 1947 by Father Werenfried van Straaten, whom Pope John Paul II named “An Outstanding Apostle of Charity,” the organization is now at work in over 145 countries throughout the world.

The charity undertakes thousands of projects every year including providing transport for clergy and lay Church workers, construction of church buildings, funding for priests and nuns and help to train seminarians. Since the initiative’s launch in 1979, 43 million Aid to the Church in Need Child’s Bibles have been distributed worldwide.

For more information contact Michael Varenne at michael@churchinneed.org or call 718-609-0939 or fax718-609-0938. Aid to the Church in Need, 725 Leonard Street, PO Box 220384, Brooklyn, NY 11222-0384. www.churchinneed.org

Journey Home - 08-29-2011 - Revert - Marcus Grodi with Keith Major

''Highly recommended by my mom.

EWTN Facebook Posts: From human trafficking to the Spiritiual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola

From

Michelle Johnson

Director of Communications

EWTN Global Catholic Network
How do you know when the Lord is talking to you? How can you be sure what He is asking you to do? Is there a way to know? St. Ignatius of Loyola said it is possible what the Lord is saying to you and he shared this knowledge in a famous system known as the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. Learn all about it in EWTN’s superb new series, “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teaching of St. Ignatius of Loyola” with Father Tim Gallagher of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Sundays; 1 p.m. ET, Mondays; and 5 a.m. ET, Fridays – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder. Do NOT miss this one!


If you’re Irish -- or just wish you were – you won’t want to miss “Catholic Lives Ireland” – exclusively on EWTN. The stellar lineup includes the founder of “Children in the Crossfire;” a nun whose chastity program transformed Uganda into Africa’s success story in the fight against HIV/Aids; the three-time winner of Ireland’s prestigious “Sam Maguire Cup” and manager of the renowned County Tyrone Gaelic Football Team – and so many more! This must-see series airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Mondays and 4 a.m. ET, Thursdays. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.


Learn about the lives of Chinese martyrs – and those who are dying for the faith in China even today! Tune into EWTN’s exclusive new series, “Saints of China,” hosted by Anthony Clark, assistant professor of East Asian history at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. Airs 11 p.m. ET, Sundays; and 2:30 a.m. ET, Fridays. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.

Which country has the most beautiful churches and shrines dedicated to Our Lady? Some say it is the Philippines? Are they right? Find out in “Mary, Mother of the Philippines” with Father Melvin Castro. Airs 2:30 a.m. Etna d 1:30 p.m. ET, Thursdays – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.


Did you know that the Catholic Church is at the forefront in the fight against human trafficking? Fr. Benedict Groeschel talked about this with John Klink, head of a little-known Vatican agency known as the International Catholic Migration Commission, this past Sunday on “Sunday Night Prime.” Did you miss this riveting show? Find it now on EWTN’s YouTube Channel, www.youtube.com/ewtn.


Uncertain about your need for spiritual direction or how it might benefit you? Find out everything you need to know about spiritual direction when Father David J. Simonetti guests on “EWTN Live” with Host Father Mitch Pacwa. Airs 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept. 7 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.



What if you could question your favorite saints about the life and times – and our own? What might you learn? Find out this fall on EWTN’s new series, “Saints Alive!” Airs Sundays at 10:30 a.m. ET, Mondays at 6 p.m. ET, Tuesdays at 4 a.m. ET, and Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. ET – exclusively on EWTN! Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.



Examine the physical evidence (and metaphysical premises for) the existence of God! Tune into EWTN’s new series, “The Heavens Proclaim the Glory of God” with Father Robert Spitzer. Airs 3:30 a.m. ET, Mondays; and 5:30 p.m. ET, Fridays – exclusively on EWTN. Find www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.



Explore the lives of the saints with EWTN favorites, Fr. John Trigillio and Fr. Ken Brighenti. Their new series, “Crash Course in the Saints,” airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Sundays; and 5:30 a.m. ET and 10:30 p.m. ET, Wednesdays – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.



EWTN’s viewers are familiar with Joanna Bogle. This British dynamo hosts “Feasts and Seasons” and other shows on EWTN and regularly blogs on www.ewtn.com as “A Catholic Journalist in London.” But we bet you didn’t know that Bogle was greatly influenced by a little-known nun named Sister Mary Alban! Find out more when Bogle joins “Bookmark” Host Doug Keck to discuss her new book, “A Nun With A Difference: The Life and Letters of Sister Mary Alban, FC.” Airs 5:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Sept 7 – exclusively on EWTN. Find EWTN at www.ewtn.com/channelfinder.



Miss a show on EWTN? Just go to EWTN’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/ewtn and get yourself a little inspiration!

World Over - Jeni Stepanek with Raymond Arroyo - ...

I hope you had a chance to watch that heartwarming Oprah show yesterday on Mattie and his "heartsongs".

ACN News - Bomb strikes continue in Sudan

Despite a ceasefire, military strikes against civilians have continued in Sudan’s disputed South Kordofan state.

Sources in the Nuba Mountains told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that the government in Khartoum has continued military operations despite President Omer Al-Bashir’s claims that an August 23^rd ceasefire had restored calm in the region.

The sources said, “There is no ceasefire in any real sense because Bashir is talking of ceasefire but different things are happening on the ground.”

“We hope the UN will come.”

The government has continued attacks in the area surrounding the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan, demanding that tens of thousands of rebel fighters in the region disarm and retract demands for increased autonomy.

Military spokesman Alsoarmi Khaled issued a statement on August 31^st denying claims by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch that air strikes have continued after the ceasefire.

But, reports passed to ACN by John Ashworth of the Sudan Ecumenical Forum revealed ongoing fighting in the region, including aerial attacks.

“There is no shelling but there is fighting in Mendi. Yes, we hear heavy guns and the bombing of the Antonov.”

According to the sources Khartoum’s Antonov bombers also struck Almasha secondary school in Kauda on Monday, August 22^nd, the day before the ceasefire.

The source added, “[Also attacked were] Mendi, Lumon, Kerker, Tabari and Luki. Only two people were injured in Kauda and in the rest of the places [they only] killed animals.”

Bombing raids have killed at least 26, injured at least 46 and caused up to 150,000 to flee their homes.

Fighting is also leading to a shortage of food in the region.

Sources told ACN, “There is no food in the market and the bombing is still serious. There was little food in stock, but it is almost finished in the markets.”

“Yes, people are sharing, but the food is not enough.”

It was also reported that most people are seeking shelter from the conflict in the mountains, and heavy rain has caused some sickness in the region.

The Khartoum government has accused South Sudan of providing support to rebel groups in South Kordofan, and Darfur and lodged an official complaint with the United Nations Security Council.

Responding to these claims, South Sudan’s Information Minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, told Reuters, “Khartoum is trying to set up a smokescreen to cover up Security Council concerns that they are bombing civilians in South Kordofan...”

“[The government of Sudan] has failed to bring peace to Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile. They are looking for a scapegoat and blaming the South.”

According to 2005’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement, a consultation process was to take place in South Kordofan in 2011 to determine the future of the state.

Editor’s Notes:

Directly under the Holy Father, Aid to the Church in Need supports the faithful wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in pastoral need.  ACN is a Catholic charity - helping to bring Christ to the world through prayer, information and action.

Founded in 1947 by Father Werenfried van Straaten, whom Pope John Paul II named “An Outstanding Apostle of Charity,” the organization is now at work in over 145 countries throughout the world.

The charity undertakes thousands of projects every year including providing transport for clergy and lay Church workers, construction of church buildings, funding for priests and nuns and help to train seminarians. Since the initiative’s launch in 1979, 43 million Aid to the Church in Need Child’s Bibles have been distributed worldwide.

For more information contact Michael Varenne at michael@churchinneed.org or call 718-609-0939 or fax718-609-0938. Aid to the Church in Need, 725 Leonard Street, PO Box 220384, Brooklyn, NY 11222-0384. www.churchinneed.org

Rethinking My Position on Giving Money to the Homeless Street People

Picture source


In March of this year I shared my thoughts about giving money to homeless people. You can read it here. Since that time, the homelessness problem in Hawaii has become almost an epidemic. It is disturbing to find out many, if not the majority appear to be from the Mainland or Asia.  There are just too many street people who appear to need help.  There is a growing number of them who make their home on our streets and parks.  Sometimes Hawaii appears to be a third-world country and not paradise.  There has also been instances that have caused me to rethink my position about giving handouts.

- There is a young man who hangs around the church. He is good-looking and seems very able-bodied. He is originally from New York. He is also a Catholic and homeless. He left not too long ago with big dreams. I prayed that he would finally be back on his feet. But he is back. He is still homeless and this time, he is asking for handouts. I wondered where he got the money for the expensive airplane tickets back and forth. Why isn't he working? Why isn't he homeless in his own state of New York?

- There are so many more seemingly able bodied people on the streets with signs that read "HUNGRY". I used to see these types of signs before but those would end with "WILLING TO WORK". I don't see those sign too often anymore.

- There is a little elderly homeless guy we give money too.  When he sees me, I get the impression, he is expecting to receive money.

- There is a homeless man, who is very hunchbacked and he pushes his cart everywhere.  When I offer him money he takes it.  When I offer him food, he tells me to go away.  

- Recently, I offered a homeless woman, sitting by the trash-bin, our doggie bag. She wanted to see the food first. Then she wanted to know if we ate from it. This is a person who probably rummages and eats whatever see finds in the garbage. She was concerned about our germs. 

-Today after Mass, a lady who had came out of the Church said good morning to the new street person hanging out in the parking lot.  That street person slapped the lady on her upper arm!

There were more instances I wanted to share but I think you get the idea.   Christians must have compassion and show charity towards those in need.  I think by giving money to street people, we are enabling them.  They stop seeing you as a person but instead start seeing a dollar sign.  We simply cannot afford to give money to everyone we encounter, every time. My husband works very hard to provide for our family. Plus, it is not safe to take our your wallet to pull out money in the middle of the street.

What my family now does is to support our church's outreach program.  We are doing this on a regular basis so that they can at least budget in monies to help provide for the growing need of the homeless, the unemployed, the elderly, etc.

We also pray for the homeless and those in need on a daily basis.  Even though I no longer give money when I encounter someone on the street, I do say a prayer for that person.

Of course, my not giving money is not set in stone.  If there is an immediate need, and with God's help I hope to discern each time, we will help.

Remembering the Victims of 9/11 - Project 2996

This Sunday will mark the 10th anniversary of the worst unprovoked attack on America soil. So many innocent people lost their lives. So many families were left shattered by the sudden and tragic loss of a loved one.

Project 2,996 has tried to remember these victims on the anniversary of September 11th. Many individuals have stepped up, offering beautiful tributes to these victims. Yet, on the 10th anniversary of September 11th, there are many people who lost their lives on that fateful day, who will not have a tribute offered for them.

Won't you help?

It is very easy to do. First, visit Project 2996. Choose a name of someone currently not having a tribute and do a little research. Then if you are a blogger, you can write a small post about the person you selected.

On September 11th, I will repost the links of the two individuals I have written about.

Please help.

A Million Roses for the World - Rosaries for Peace

I received a tweet asking to spread the word about "a MILLION Roses for the World: Filipinos at Prayer"

For more information, check out Million Roses for the World

Please pledge to pray the Rosary for the intentions of peace in the world and especially for the Philippines.

Life on the Rock - Rosary Rally -Legion of Mary

First Friday - Sacred Heart of Jesus

Picture source

"Those heavenly blessings which devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus pours into the souls of the faithful, purifying them, refreshing them with heavenly consolation and urging them to acquire all virtues, are too numerous to be counted..."

- Saint Margaret Mary - Leon Cristiani

Message from Father Gordon MacRae

Friends: Just to show you how much your participation in the Novena means to Father Gordon, I am sharing his recent email he sent to me.  I may have had the inspiration from the Holy Spirit to start the novena, but it was really special having all of you join in.  Wow!  So, even though Father thanks me in the email, know he is very grateful to all of you too.  I do have his permission to post it here.

Please continue to pray for Father and also for his good friends Porchai and Donald. Mahalo!

Dear Esther,

I have had so many people contact me with comments that they are joining your Novena that it has been overwhelming and I thank you. At Mass on Sunday night, I told Pornchai and our convert friend Donald about the Novena and they were both very grateful to you. So am I. It was a wonderful gesture, and I think it worked! Bill Donohue's comments on EWTN were evidence of its power, and yesterday there was a minor miracle. I was interviewed for 2 1/2 hrs. by an independent filmmaker doing a documentary on falsely accused priests. To my great shock, and his, the prison officials allowed him to bring in a camera crew. It was unheard of here, but it went very well. Charlene helped to orchestrate it, and she too had joined your Novena. She nagged me to grow some hair for the filming, but that was just impossible. I lost all my hair in prison, and now I look like Kojak.

With thanks and blessings,
Fr. Gordon

--
Sent on behalf of
These Stone Walls

ACN News - Uganda – Seminaries threatened by economic crisis

The rector of the major seminary of Alokolum (Northern Uganda), Msgr. Cosmas Alule, reported to the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that his seminary is suffering badly from the severe economic crisis and galloping inflation.

During a visit to ACN’s head office in Königstein, Germany, Msgr. Alule described how other seminaries in this East African country are also suffering the effects of the crisis.

Since last August, the rate of inflation has risen from 1.7 percent to approximately 19 percent. Food prices in particular are increasing rapidly: the prices of maize, beans, sugar and other staple foods have quadrupled.

Gas and building materials are also becoming more and more expensive.

Msgr. Alule explained that the situation is much worse than in the neighboring countries of Ruanda, Kenya and Tanzania.

The causes of the situation in Uganda, he reported, are, alongside the global economic crisis, the drought in wide areas of the country, as well as the costly parliamentary election campaign in February of this year, into which the government pumped vast amounts of money.

Msgr. Alule said, “The government has spent money irresponsibly for political purposes, instead of looking after the wellbeing of the people.”

The seminary of Alokolum, which is located in a region that was plagued for twenty years by the civil war between the Ugandan government and the rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army, has had to call a halt to all building activities, according to Msgr. Alule.

Further building is needed because the number of priestly vocations is continuing to grow and the seminary is suffering from a severe shortage of space.

The rector explained, “We can hardly meet the costs of our basic needs, despite the fact that we grow rice, beans, maize and vegetables in our gardens in order to reduce our food costs.”

He also expressed his fear that the crisis could continue, or even get worse.

In the seminary of Alokolum, 209 students are expected in the new academic year. This is 26 more than in the previous year.

The number of seminarians is also growing in Uganda’s other seminaries. Last year, 1,130 young men were preparing for the priesthood in the country’s five seminaries.

Some 45 percent of Uganda’s population of 33 million people is Catholic. Despite the high number of vocations, there is a shortage of priests in many parts of the country.

Aid to the Church in Need is calling for aid to the seminaries in Uganda.

With picture of Msgr. Cosmas Alule, rector of the major seminary of Alokolum

Editor’s Notes:

Directly under the Holy Father, Aid to the Church in Need supports the faithful wherever they are persecuted, oppressed or in pastoral need.  ACN is a Catholic charity - helping to bring Christ to the world through prayer, information and action.

Founded in 1947 by Father Werenfried van Straaten, whom Pope John Paul II named “An Outstanding Apostle of Charity,” the organization is now at work in over 145 countries throughout the world.

The charity undertakes thousands of projects every year including providing transport for clergy and lay Church workers, construction of church buildings, funding for priests and nuns and help to train seminarians. Since the initiative’s launch in 1979, 43 million Aid to the Church in Need Child’s Bibles have been distributed worldwide.

For more information contact Michael Varenne at michael@churchinneed.org or call 718-609-0939 or fax718-609-0938. Aid to the Church in Need, 725 Leonard Street, PO Box 220384, Brooklyn, NY 11222-0384. www.churchinneed.org