Project 2996 - We Remember - September 11th - Samuel (Sandy) Ayala

Through Project 2996 this blog once again pays tribute to a victim of 9/11.

This year we honor Samuel (Sandy) Ayala who died in the World Trade Center on that fateful and tragic day.

Sandy Ayala stayed close to his mother and three siblings. So close, in fact, that after he married, he insisted that he and his wife live with the family in the apartment where he was raised on East 113th Street, in East Harlem.

After he and his wife, Leyda Ayala, separated, he often took his daughter Samantha to the gym where he worked part-time as a personal trainer, and during the summer he would take her and her new half siblings to Coney Island and Orchard Beach.

On Sept. 11, he was working overtime as a banquet arranger at Windows on the World ‹ after his usual all-night shift ‹ to save money for a gift for Samantha's 12th birthday.

But that dedication was mixed with anxiety. "He was always afraid he would die young and never live to see his daughter grow up," Mrs. Ayala said. "He used to say he wouldn't live past 36." There was no real reason for it, since he had been weight- training all his life and was in superb physical condition, she added.

He died a month after his 36th birthday.

Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on November 12, 2001.

Source

Picture Source

Some friends and family members of Sandy left messages at a guest book created Sandy was killed. You can see who much he was loved and missed.

Guest book

I will be offering my Rosary intentions, and Holy Communion for the repose of Sandy's soul, on September 11th, 2010.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord
and may your perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.

Amen.

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can
steal." - from a headstone in Ireland

PASTORAL LETTER OF BISHOP LARRY SILVA REGARDING THE NEW TRANSLATION OF THE THIRD TYPICAL EDITION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL

Reprinted here with permission by Bishop Larry Silva, Diocese of Honolulu.

Mahalo nui loa Bishop Larry for a wonderful letter regarding the new Mass translation!

To the Priests, Deacons, Liturgical Ministers, and all the Faithful of the Diocese of Honolulu

Why a new translation? How will this change our way of worshipping? How will we go about learning the new translation? All of these questions will be addressed in this letter, but more importantly in the catechetical opportunities that will follow before Advent 2011 and in the first months of the use of the new translation. Before we take up those details, however, let’s talk about some more essential items.

The Central Place of the Eucharist in Catholic Life

God has blessed us with incredible gifts: the people we love, the ability to work, our beautiful islands. These are just of few of the multitude of gifts God pours out upon us. The finest of all gifts, however, is the gift of Jesus Christ, God and man, who was sent to save us from our sins. Jesus left us a legacy of his teachings in the New Testament, particularly the Gospels. He formed a Church to carry on his mission. But there is much more! He is physically present to us in the Eucharist! He died on the cross for us, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven. But he is the living bread come down from heaven; a real, living person who loves us so intimately that he offers himself to us as real food and real drink. (See John 6.)

When the apostles encountered the risen Jesus, he transformed their fear into fire, their timidity into a tempest of joy. They who were simple uneducated men became the voices of the Word of God. They whose lives were confined to the territory around a little lake now went out to the ends of the earth to witness to Jesus. The small band of disciples has grown into billions who have come to know the risen Lord Jesus. And now we come to know him in the “breaking of the bread,” the Eucharist. (See Luke 24:13-35.) It is in the power of Christ that we go out to continue his work of healing the sick, teaching, changing hearts and cultures, casting out the demons of falsehood, bringing good news to the poor, and in all this proclaiming the wonderful works of God.

The Eucharist is the source and summit of who we are as members of the Body of Christ. Without it we could not accomplish much, and with it God can work miracles through us. This Eucharist, which our most ancient ancestors celebrated and which our most distant offspring will celebrate until the end of time, is indeed a living reality that maintains its essential identity even as its rites and language evolve.

A New Translation

If the Mass has always been the same essential reality, why do we need to change it? Aren’t there more important things the Church should be concerned about? These are among the many questions that have been asked regarding the new translation. So why did Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI after him, call for a new English translation?

When the Roman Missal was first translated from Latin to English in the late 1960’s, there was a rush to have a vernacular translation available. It was a good translation, but it was judged to be less than it could be. Pope John Paul II, in order to better guide the various translations of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal he published in 2002, issued a document called Liturgiam Authenticam. This document called for a different principle of translation called formal equivalency. He wanted the translation from the original Latin to be as precise as possible so that it would preserve the echoes of Sacred Scripture that are contained in the prayers of the Mass, assure a better precision of theological language, and provide a better unity even in the diversity of languages.

Let us take as an example one of the new texts that will probably be most noticeable to us. In the Latin the priest says, “Dominus vobiscum,” and the people answer, “Et cum spiritu tuo.” In our current translation the priest says, “The Lord be with you,” and the people answer, “And also with you.” In the new translation the priest says, “The Lord be with you,” and the people answer, “And with your spirit.” As you can see, the people’s answer in the new translation is much closer to the original Latin than our present response. Moreover, it corresponds more closely to the translation that has been in use for decades in other Western languages: “Y con tu espíritu,” in Spanish; “Et avec votre esprit,” in French; “Und mit deinem Geiste,” in German; and “E con il tuo spirito” in Italian.

This change, of course, will seem awkward to us. We might say, “This is not the way we normally speak to each other.” The awkwardness will wear off once we have become accustomed to the new translation. And there is also some value to having a “sacral language,” that is, a form of language that is not simply mundane but takes us to a higher plane. When I was growing up, the Mass was only celebrated in Latin, but already there was a concern that people understand what was being said. So we had missals with Latin on one side and English on the other. As I checked my old boyhood missal, I noticed that “Et cum spiritu tuo,” was translated, “And with your spirit.” If we had stuck with that translation in the first place it would not have seemed awkward at all. It is the novelty that will throw us off for a while, but once we become accustomed to the new translation, we will learn to appreciate it.

We Are All In This Together

The implementation will take a good bit of effort from many people, and every Latin Rite diocese in the English-speaking world will be taking part in this change. While it will be challenging, it is an opportunity to renew and sharpen our understanding of the Eucharist and to come to appreciate even more the great gift it is to all of us.

Father William Kunisch, Director of our Office of Worship, will oversee the process, following up on the preliminary work done by Sister Helene Wood, SS.CC., the recently retired Director of the Office of Worship.

Attitude is Important

I pray that we will all keep a positive attitude about this new change in our liturgy. We all know that change is sometimes difficult, but a positive attitude will help us all. A negative or a passive-aggressive attitude will really help no one, so I ask your prayerful reflection on the following points.

• Experts in both the Latin and English languages have worked on this translation. It will be tempting for any individual to say, “I think it should have been said this way instead,” and to change the words given to us. I ask that we use the words given to us. No translation is perfect, but this translation was reviewed again and again by many people who have true expertise in language and liturgy.

• The liturgy belongs to the whole Church, not to a particular priest, deacon, parish, or congregation. Our unity is expressed in the way we worship, so no one should take it upon himself or herself to change the liturgy according to personal tastes. There are places in the liturgy where something may be said “in these or similar words,” and in those places the designated minister is free to improvise appropriately. Where that directive is not present, however, we should say what is written, not what we think should have been written.

• Patience will be an important attitude. We may be frustrated when we forget the new formula and revert to the old, and we probably will do that in the first several months. But after a few months, the new translation will be second nature to us, so let us be patient with ourselves and each other.

• Above all let us remember that the supreme law is love, and love is what (or rather Who) we are meant to encounter in the liturgy. Let our renewal of words serve also to renew our hearts in love for the Lord and for one another.

As we begin our catechesis on the new translation, we should also take advantage of this time to renew our liturgy in other ways as well. Some parishes did very well in their catechesis on the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and their implementation of it. Others still need to fine tune their liturgy according to these norms.

When all is said and done, our celebration of the Eucharist should be truly engaging, lifting our minds and hearts to God, renewing us in our commitment to be the Body of Christ, and setting us on fire with the Holy Spirit for our mission to the world.

May God bless you all!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Larry Silva
Bishop of Honolulu

EWTN Family Prayer - Those Who Are Grieving

PRAYER FOR PEACE... OF MIND AND HEART

Eternal, Holy God, I come to You burdened with worries, fears, doubts and troubles. Calm and quiet me with peace of mind. Empty me of the anxiety that disturbs me, of the concerns that weary my spirit, and weigh heavy on my heart.

Loosen my grip on the disappointments and grievances I hold on to so tightly. Release me from the pain of past hurts, of present anger and tension, of future fears.

Sometimes it's too much for me Lord - too many demands and problems - too much sadness, suffering, and stress.

Renew me spiritually and emotionally. Give me new strength, hope, and confidence. Prepare me to meet the constant struggles of daily life with a deeper faith and trust in You.

Let your love set me free.... for peace, for joy, for grace, for life, for others....forever. Amen.

Shared by Sue Cifelli.

"Five Ways to Practice Mortification Without Outing Yourself as a Catholic"

Five Ways to Practice Mortification Without Outing Yourself as a Catholic
Although, it is good to give witness that one is a Catholic, i.e. saying grace in a public restaurant, I think the writer's point here is to make sacrifices that only God will know about. So that any good works will be hidden away from anyone but Him.  You will be storing treasures in Heaven.

Be sure to read the comments for more ideas on mortifications you can do.

H/T to Barb

Cause for Canonization of John Henry Cardinal Newman

I found this site while looking for a picture of St. Francis de Sales.

The Cause for the Canonisation of John Henry Cardinal Newman

Hopefully, they will be updating during our holy father's trip to the United Kingdom.

On Conformity to God's Will - St. Francis de Sales

Picture source

..."Therefore the conformity of our heart with God's signified will consists in the fact that we will all that God's goodness signifies to us as His intention, so that we believe according to His teaching, hope according to His promises, fear according to His warnings, and love and live according to His ordinance and admonitions.

All those protestations we make so often in the Church's holy ceremonies tend to this end. For this reason we remain standing while the Gospel is read to show that we are ready to obey the holy signification of God's will contained in the Gospel. For this reason we kiss the book at the place where the Gospel is, to show that we adore the holy word that declares God's will. For this reason, in ancient days, many men and women saints bore upon their breast the Gospel written out as a talisman of love, as is told of St. Cecilia..."

From Finding God's Will for You by St. Francis de Sales. Available through Sophia Press.

More on Humility - Dietrich von Hildebrand

Picture Source

"...Humility is the opposite, not only of all malicious pride but of all forms of self-centered mediocrity, such as emphasis on petty pleasures or honors, any kind of slavery to conventions, any attachment of importance to unimportant concerns, any cowardice, any bourgeois complacency.."

from Humility - Wellspring of Virtue, available from Sophia Press.

The Church: The Mission: The Priest

"The Church is the mystery of the Incarnation prolonged throughout the centuries, the Church is essentially a mission. That is the meaning of the word "apostolate." It is sent. It is a mission: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." (John 20:21).

This mission character of the Church is of infinite importance because the authority of the Church is derived from this mission. It is because it is sent that the Church can address itself to the entire world, because, precisely, it is totally entrusted with the presence of Jesus it bears throughout history in order to gather all humankind in one flock under the leadership of one sole Shepherd.

We are all sent by the One who sends us, by the Only One who sends us, who is Jesus Christ, ad each degree of authority is essentially the repetition of being sent, of mission: Ite Missa est. This is of absolutely prime importance. It is clear that as a priest I am not myself. I am a priest precisely so as not to be myself, in order to be the sacrament of Jesus Christ.

It is clear that if men entrust their soul, their deepest secrets, to a priest, it is because the priest is not himself, it is because he is the sacrament of Jesus. It is clear that the priest could never enter into the mystery of man if he was not sent. And, even if he is mediocre, he is sent. And even if he is mediocre, he has the grace of the mission.

It happens that the priest gives some souls some counsels that are infinitely beyond him, because he is a sacrament and that , insofar as he conforms to this mission, he can count on the help of God.I have experienced that, I know that I must never undertake anything on my own, because I am sent.

- Father Maurice Zundel

From the Magnificat, September 2010, Vol.12 No. 7

This is What Happens When Someone is Sacriligious

Priest Slaps Young Man For Desecrating Eucharist

EWTN Family Prayer - Those Who Are in Nursing Homes

EWTN Family Prayer - Those in Need of Employment

Thanks to all of you who joined in praying Easter's Novena for Employment.

EWTN Family Prayer - Those Who Are Dying

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

El Nacimiento de la Virgen by Juan Pantoja de la Cruz

Picture Source Idle Speculations. Thanks Terry!

It is typical in the Church to celebrate a saint's death-day instead of the saint's birthday, for "the Church always argued that it was premature to celebrate a birthday because the rest of the life of the person born on that day was subject to su ch ambiguity" (Pope Benedict XVI). The birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an exquisite exception since "her soul was the space from which God was able to gain access into humanity" (Pope Benedict XVI). "Today God welcomes on earth the holy throne which he had prepared for himself. He who established the heavens in wisdom has fashioned a living heaven" (Byzantine Liturgy).

From The Magnificat September 8th reading, Vol. 12 No. 7

Litany in Honor of the Holy Infancy of

The Blessed Virgin by St. John Eudes

Lord, have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us, Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.

Infant Jesus, hear us, Have mercy on us.

Infant Jesus, graciously hear us, Have mercy on us.

God the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the World, Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.

Holy Infant Mary, Pray for us.

Infant Daughter of the Father, Pray for us.

Infant, Mother of the Son, Pray for us.

Infant, Spouse of the Holy Ghost, Pray for us.

Infant, fruit of the prayers of thy parents, Pray for us.

Infant, Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity, Pray for us.

Infant, riches of thy father, Pray for us.

Infant, delight of thy mother, Pray for us.

Infant, honor of thy father, Pray for us.

Infant, honor of thy mother, Pray for us.

Infant, miracle of nature, Pray for us.

Infant, prodigy of grace, Pray for us.

Immaculate in thy Conception, Pray for us.

Most holy in thy Nativity, Pray for us.

Most devout in thy Presentation, Pray for us.

Masterpiece of God's grace, Pray for us.

Aurora of the Sun of Justice, Pray for us.

Beginning of our joy, Pray for us.

End of our evils, Pray for us.

Infant, joy of earth, Pray for us.

Pattern of our charity, Pray for us.

Model of our humility, Pray for us.

Infant, most powerful, Pray for us.

Infant, most mild, Pray for us.

Infant, most pure, Pray for us.

Infant, most obedient, Pray for us.

Infant, most poor, Pray for us.

Infant, most meek, Pray for us.

Infant, most amiable, Pray for us.

Infant, most admirable, Pray for us.

Infant, incomparable, Pray for us.

Infant, health of the sick, Pray for us.

Comfortess of the afflicted, Pray for us.

Refuge of Sinners, Pray for us.

Hope of Christians, Pray for us.

Lady of the Angels, Pray for us.

Daughter of the Patriarchs, Pray for us.

Desire of the Prophets, Pray for us.

Mistress of the Apostles, Pray for us.

Strength of Martyrs, Pray for us.

Glory of the Priesthood, Pray for us.

Joy of Confessors, Pray for us.

Purity of Virgins, Pray for us.

Queen of all Saints, Pray for us.

Infant, our Mother, Pray for us.

Infant, Queen of our hearts, Pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, Infant Jesus.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, Infant Jesus.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus.

Infant Jesus, Hear us.

Infant Jesus, Graciously hear us.

O almighty and merciful God, Who through the cooperation of the Holy Ghost, didst prepare the body and soul of the Immaculate Infant Mary that she might be the worthy Mother of Thy Son, and didst preserve her from all stain, grant that we who venerate with all our hearts her most holy childhood, may be freed, through her merits and intercession, from all uncleanness of mind and body, and be able to imitate her perfect humility, obedience and charity. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Prayer Source

Prayer Novena for the Papal Visit to UK Begins September 15th

The following was shared by Donal Foley:

September 24th is the Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham National Shrine of Our Lady in England, Mary's Dowry.

The Novena period which precedes the Feast begins on Wednesday

15th of September - Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

As this Novena period surrounds the Papal Visit - (September 16th to 19th) it is suggested that people pray the Novena for the following intentions:

"For God's mighty blessing and protection upon the Papal Visit

and for the Holy Father's intentions".

For overseas readers, perhaps the best way of joining in the Novena is to say the Rosary each day, or at least one decade, for this intention.

For UK readers, a Poster advertising the Novena is available via: antoniavb(at)talktalk(dot)net. 

Perhaps ask in your Parishes that it be displayed and ask for the

Novena intentions to be published in next week's parish newsletters.

Also, the newly printed Novena Booklets are available individually or

in bulk from St. Paul's Bookshop by Westminster Cathedralin

London www.stpauls.org.uk (Tel: 0207 828 5582) or individually

from the Slipper Chapel Bookshop (Tel: 01328 821 794) at the

Roman Catholic National Shrine in Walsingham

For this Novena of Prayer to enfold the Papal Visit in an ocean

of prayer and protection it needs everyone of you to do what you can

to advertise it and forward it on to others. Thank you so much!

May Our Lady of Walsingham pray for us and place her loving and

protective mantle around our beloved Holy Father Pope Benedict

XVI.

Many thanks

Antonia

God Bless our Pope!

'When England goes back to Walsingham, Our Lady will come back to England.'

(Prophecy of Pope Leo XIII)

Upcoming Events from Divine Mercy Center of Hawaii

From a recent email from the Divine Mercy Center of Hawaii:

You are invited to attend two inspirational events that will lift up your weary souls. Mark your calendars for these important Divine Mercy Healing events. We have invited great guest speakers who will encourage you to hope in the love and mercy of God amidst trials, tribulations and sufferings. Don't miss these great opportunities to receive God's healing mercy. Spread the word. God bless you always.

Jesus, I Trust in You

Visit the website for more details.

Divine Mercy Healing Mass, Oct 5
at Our Lady of Good Counsel
on October 5, Tuesday 6 pm - 9 pm
in celebration of the Feast of St. Faustina
at Our Lady of Good Counsel
1525 Waimano Home Road, Pearl City, Oahu

Admission is free; everyone is invited,

6 pm - Divine Mercy Healing Mass
7 pm - "Deliver Us From Evil" a talk by Fr. Bill Halbing
8 pm - Healing Service
9 pm - Refreshment

Divine Mercy Healing Conference 2010
Theme: "The Healing Power of God's Mercy"
Featuring 5 guests coming from the East Coast.

Registration is required.
Procession, Sacrament of Reconciliation, Adoration, Holy Mass, Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Reflection Talks on God's Healing Mercy and other topics, Healing Services, Dramatic multi-media presentation, Veneration of the St. Faustina's relic, Praise and Worship, Fellowship and more. Register by Sept. 30

Event Info
October 7-10, 2010
St. Philomena Church
3300 Ala Laulani St.
Honolulu (Salt Lake)

EWTN Family Prayer - Conversion of Sinners

EWTN Family Prayer - Vocations to the Priesthood

The Prayer

Author Unknown

Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe on those who call evil good," but that's exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

We confess that:

We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism.
We have worshiped other gods and called it multiculturalism.
We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn children and called it a choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.
We have abused power and called it political savvy.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent to direct us to the center of Your will.
I ask it in the name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Shared by Sue Cifelli