Pope Francis

Message from the Shepherd...

Dear Brothers and Sisters, The social and spiritual crisis, so evident in today’s world, is becoming great pastoral challenge in the Church’s evangelizing mission concerning the family, the vital cell of society and of the Church. Therefore today, more than before, proclaiming the Gospel to the Family is more urgent and necessary. It is in this context Pope Francis has called for an extra-ordinary synod of Bishops that will be held from October 5- 18th, 2014, at the Vatican on the theme “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of the Evangelization.” The synod will have two-staged itinerary: firstly, an Extraordinary General Assembly in 2014, intended to define the “status quaestionis” and to collect the bishops’ experiences and proposals in proclaiming and living the Gospel of the Family in a credible manner; and secondly, an Ordinary General Assembly in 2015 to seek working guidelines in the pastoral care of the person and the family. We, in our diocese, have decided to observe the year 2014 as the Year of the Family in order to devote greater attention for the formation and growth of exemplary Christian families. We inaugurated the year of the family on 29th December 2013 on the feast day of the Holy Family and we will conclude it on December 28th 2014 with the feast of the Holy Family. During our annual priests meeting and senate meeting there were many suggestions as to the ways to celebrate the year of the family in our diocese.

THE FAMILY: THE DOMESTIC CHURCH AND THE FIRST SCHOOL IN FAITH The family is the most basic social group in society, typically consisting of parents and their children. It is often called the “domestic church” (Pope John Paul II) or “Home of faith” (Pope Francis). It is within the family the children are raised and formed as human beings. The family is humanity’s first school, wherein men and women are formed in the fullness of their personal dignity in all their dimensions - cultural, ethical, social, spiritual, and religious. One of the duties the family has is to educate its members. By fulfilling its mission the family plays an irreplaceable role and advances the common good of a society. Although faith education has been effectively carried out by the Parish or in the school, yet the home is the most conductive milieu and efficacious agent for this purpose. The practices of faith are learned first in the family’s relationships. The family life lived in faith is the most effective proclamation of God’s word and the most striking witness of faith. The parental role in this human formation is governed by love, a love which places itself “at the service of children to draw forth from them (‘e-ducere’) the best that is in them” and which “finds its fullest expression precisely in the task of educating.” Pope Benedict XVI during the 5th World meeting of families insisted, “Christian parents are still called to give a credible witness of their Christian faith and hope. They need to ensure that God’s call and the good news of Christ will reach their children with the utmost clarity and authenticity.” And as the General Directory for Catechesis puts it, “Indeed family catechesis precedes ... accompanies and enriches all forms of catechesis.’ (GDC 226)

FAMILY: SUBJECT OF SPECIAL PASTORAL CONCERN OF THE CHURCH The Church has always shown special pastoral concern for the family since she is “conscious that marriage and the family are one of the greatest good belonging to the human race”. Indeed the salvation of the individual as well as of human and Christian society itself is intimately connected with the health and well- being of the family. Pope John Paul II assigned high pastoral priority to family ministry when he wrote, “no plan for organized pastoral work, at any level, must ever fail to take into consideration the pastoral care of the family”. According to Pope Francis, “It is important that the Church move forward together as a community, in reflection and prayer, and decide on common pastoral orientations dealing with the most important aspects of our life together - particularly on the family - under the guidance of the Pope and the bishops”. 12345678

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123456781 FAMILIES UNDER THREAT Developments and concerns which were unheard of until a few years ago have risen today as a result of different situations and growth of different ideologies and philosophies. Though we in the diocese have not yet experienced some of the new problems confronting the family as in other parts of the world, yet it is important that we take preventive measures to avoid the many problems faced by families in the first world. Some of the challenging problems that families face today are: the widespread practice of cohabitation, which does not lead to marriage, and sometimes even excludes the idea of it; same-sex unions between persons, who are, not infrequently, permitted to adopt children have come into practice. The many new situations requiring the Church’s attention and pastoral care include: mixed or inter-religious marriages; the single-parent family; polygamy; a culture of non-commitment and a presumption that the marriage bond can be temporary; contraception that closes off the possibility of procreation and separates the unitive and procreative meanings of marriage; forms of feminism hostile to the Church; migration and the reformulation of the very concept of the family; relativist pluralism in the conception of marriage; the influence of the media on popular culture in its understanding of marriage and family life; underlying trends of thought in legislative proposals which devalue the idea of permanence and faithfulness in the marriage covenant; an increase in the practice of surrogate motherhood (wombs for hire); and new interpretations of what is considered a human right. Within the Church, faith in the sacramentality of marriage and the healing power of the Sacrament of Penance show signs of weakness or total abandonment. As a result of the current situation, many children and young people will never see their parents receive the sacraments and practice religious faith. We thus can understand how urgent are the challenges to evangelization arising from the current situation, which can be seen in almost every part of the “global village”.

MARRIAGE: THE SACRAMENTAL FOUNDATION FOR FAMILY Marriage is a natural institution established by God the Creator. It is a permanent, faithful, and fruitful partnership between one man and one woman, established by their free mutual consent. The teachings of the Church on marriage is to be presented in an articulate and efficacious manner, so that it might reach hearts and transform them in accordance with God’s will, made manifest in Jesus Christ. In the gift of the fruit of their union, parents assume the responsibility of raising and educating other persons for the future of humankind. Through procreation, man and woman fulfil in faith the vocation of being God’s collaborators in the protection of creation and the growth of the human family. Jesus Christ restored the beauty of matrimony, proposing once again the one plan of God which was abandoned because of the hardness of the human heart, even within the tradition of the people of Israel (cf. Mt 5:31-32; 19:3-12; Mk 10:1- 12; Lk 16:18). Returning to the beginning, Jesus taught the unity and faithfulness of the husband and wife, refuting the practice of repudiation and adultery. The Christian married couple, with their children, form an image of the Trinitarian God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Marriage and family life images the Trinity in two ways. First, like the Trinity, marriage is a communion of love between co-equal persons, beginning with husband and wife and extending to all the members of the family. Second, just as Trinity’s love is life-giving, a married couple’s love conceives and cares for children. Marriage is a vocation, or divine call, as necessary and valuable to the Church as other vocations. Discernment of and preparation for marriage is a process that begins early in life and continues through the engagement period. Because marriage is for the good of the Church and the entire community, the Church and the state have an obligation to help support and sustain marriage. Dear Brothers and Sisters, let us give high priority to our family life and the good relationship that must exist within the family. Let us help one another through our prayers, especially family prayers and take initiative to reach out to families in difficulties. When we have good and exemplary families, then we will have good and exemplary faith communities and healthy society. Editor’s Note... Dear Readers,

Two events come to my mind as I pen down this editorial note. The first one is the’ Year of the Family’ and the second is the Impending season of Lent.

His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil has declared the year 2014 as ‘Year of the Family’ in our diocese. In his pastoral Letter, which he published recently, he has cited the reason for the declaring the year as family year. Holy Father has called for extra-ordinary synod of Bishops to discuss and deliberate on the pastoral challenges of the family in the context of the Evangelization. The Synod aims at proposing guidelines in the pastoral care of the person and the family. Bishop has declared the Year of the Family in order to devote greater attention for the formation and growth of exemplary Christian Families. The pastoral letter clearly states that Family as a subject of special concern of the Church and that the situation of families existing in our context is a matter of greater concern. In the forthcoming issues, greater focus will be given to assisting in the formation of the families towards the exemplary families.

The second event is the season of Lent. Traveling through dusty and bumpy roads of our state immediately reminded me of the shortness of our life and the state of our earthly existence. This is exactly what the season of lent reminds. Ash Wednesday opens up this season of penitence. While imposing the ash on our forehead the priests, says, “Remember, man, you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.”(Ref. 3: 19). Hence the Church invites every individual Christians to true repentance. Repentance or metanoia is a change of one’s disposition, one’s way of thinking; a change of one’s inner self. Repentance is a reconsideration of one’s views, an alteration of one’s life. A meaningful lent would require denial of self. It is also a soul searching spiritual discipline where in, we examine ourselves in the light of the Holy Scripture. The Psalmist Said “Search me, O God and Know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psa: 139: 23)

To shed our overweight we undertake strenuous workouts and to shed the weight of sin we are called to undertake path of sincere repentance. Church gives an opportunity to dust of our sins through 40th days of Lent. Our triumph depends on how we listen to the call of the Church and respond to it.

I wish all the readers, a wonderful and fruitful celebration of the Family year and a grace-filled season of Lent. God Bless! BISHOP’S PROGRAMME EDITOR FEBRAURY - APRIL 2014 Fr. Thomas Toretkiu February 2014 01 Golden Jubilee of Sr. Cicil CMC Ph: 09436216599 05-12 Palai - CBCI & CCBI Meetings 20-21 Kohima 22 Governing Body Meeting, Jalukie College 23-25 Kohima EDITORIAL BOARD 26 Dimapur – Golden and Silver Jubilees, Fr. Sojan Puthankudy HRHC Fr. Loyola Antony 27 Consulters Meeting (2.00 pm), Priests Recollection (5.30 pm), Mt. Tabor Sr. Kaisa Rosalind CMC 28 Diocesan Pastoral Council (9.30 am) – Mr. Tosovi Philip Khale Mt. Tabor March 2014 01-04 Pastoral Visit to Mon 05 Kohima, Ash Wednesday MANAGEMENT STAFF 06 Kohima 07-12 Pastoral Visit to Tobu Catholic Publication Centre 13-14 Dimapur: CEDOK, Games (CPC) 15 Dimapur: Church Blessing at St. Joseph’s Children Home Campus 16-18 Pastoral Visit to Cathedral Parish, Kohima PUBLISHER 19 Blessing of the SABS Novitiate, Medziphema Diocese of Kohima 20 Kohima, Regional Animators Meeting (B.H., Kohima, 2.00 pm) 21 Jalukie: Come and See program 22 Kohima: Finance Committee Meeting (Budgets – 9.00 am, BH, Kohima) SHARING 23-24 Pastoral Visit to SFS Parish, Kohima Diocese of Kohima 25-27 Kohima Bishop’s House 28-31 Pastoral Visit to Meluri Post Box No. 519 April 2014 01-02 Pastoral Visit to Meluri KOHIMA - 797 001 03 Kohima Nagaland - India 04-09 Pastoral Visit to Bhandari email: [email protected] 10-11 Kohima www.kohimadiocese.org 12 Kohima, Governing Board, St. Joseph College, Jakhama (2.00 pm) 13 Kohima, Palm Sunday 14 Kohima, Senate Meetings (10.30 am) Priests Meetings (4.30 pm) The Sharing is published bi-monthly 15 Kohima, Recollection and Chrism Mass by the Diocese of Kohima. All the 16 Kohima, Consulters meeting (B.H. news, articles, questions, reader- Kohima, 9.00 am) 17-24 Kohima reactions etc are to be addressed 25 Pastoral Visit to Shalom to the editor. Your articles, news 26 Chumukedima, First Profession CMC item could be submitted through 27-29 Pastoral Visit to Niuland CD, pendrive and mail attachment. 30 Dimapur, Vestition, GSS Please include your name and mail- Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil ing address. Bishop of Kohima, Nagaland

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12345678 123456782 12345678 PASTORAL LETTER FOR ‘YEAR OF FAMILY’ RELEASED LONGSA PARISH CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE Bishop James has released a pastoral letter for St. Peter’s Church, Longsa, the ‘Year of Family’ 2014. It contains instruction and celebrated its Golden Jubilee direction to meaningfully and fruitfully observe the on 15th December, 2013. The ‘Year of Family’. The Year of the Family is declared occasion was marked with the in order to devote greater attention for the formation pulling and erection of memo- and growth of exemplary Christian Families. He has rial stone. Bishop James asked the pastors of the parishes to read it out to blessed the memorial stone the faithful in one Sunday in the month of February. and Dr. T.M. Lotha, Hon’ble M.L.A. NCP Legislative Party - Correspondent Leader unveiled it. It was followed by a solemn Holy Eucha- PRE-CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT CHAVARA HOME ristic celebration. 21 children received the sacrament of Holy Communion. The pioneer leaders and Bishop James and the well-wishers were recognized during the felicitation invited guest Dr. K. Vikato that followed. Kinimi, the Joint Director – Fr. Rhamben Mathew of NSACS, joined the pre- Christmas celebration at Chavara Home with the CAMPOREE ORGANIZED AT DB HR. SEC. SCHOOL Children on 8th December, 2013. His Lordship reminded the gathering, ‘God A Camporee became man so that we become God’. He also ap- was held in Don preciated the sisters for the great sacrifices that they Bosco Higher render to the children. Bishop too invited few chil- Secondary dren to cut the Christmas cake. School, Dimapur th st - Correspondent from 18 to 21 December 2013. CAN ORGANIZES CHRISTMAS NOVENA Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Governor of Nagaland and Manipur Christmas Novena was inaugurated the function. Rev. Fr. Nestor Guria, the organized by the Catholic provincial of the Salesian Congregation was the Association of Nagaland, in Guest of honour. The theme for the year’s Camporee collaboration with was “Youth for peace and harmony.” Five hundred Nagaland Catholic Women scouts and guides from twelve schools in Nagaland Association and Nagaland as well as from Upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Youth Movement took part in the programme. During the occasion, on 14th December, 2013, at Jubilee Hall, Christ King the governor released a book entitled “Maths Magic” Parish, Kohima. Bishop in his exhortation said, prepared by Frs. Varghese Chittilappilly SDB and “Christmas is a feast of the interior light, a rekin- Joseph Chittissery SDB under Don Bosco dling of the spiritual spark within us.” While, Mr. Publications. The book contains various Elias, president of Catholic Association of Nagaland, mathematical tricks helpful for students. briefed about the Novena. He said that it is a nine- – Correspondent day period of private or public prayer to obtain special graces. The youth of Cathedral, Christ King Par- ish and St. Francis De Sales sang special numbers. Give to the world the best you have and the Johnny Ruangmei, Secretary General of CAN, ex- best will come back to you. tended the vote of Thanks to all. - Madeline Bridges

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123456783 celebrated the thanksgiving Holy Eucharist. GOVERNOR ORGANIZES PRE-CHRISTMAS Mr. Vikepelhou Lucas, the retired Director of School CELEBRATION AT RAJ BHAVAN Education animated the youth. – Correspondent His Excellency Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Governor of Nagaland FOUNDATION STONE LAID AT ANGANGBA FOR THE and Manipur HOSTEL organized a combined Pre-Christmas Bishop James blessed celebration at Durbar and laid the foundation th stone for the new boy’s Hall on 15 December, 2013. Chief Minister, Neiphiu rd Rio and Speaker, Nagaland Legislative Assembly, hostel on 23 December, Chotisuh Sazo, and other dignitaries were present 2013 at Angangba. During during the celebration. Bishop James was called the occasion bishop upon to invoke God’s blessing during the function. exhorted the Village elders and Catholic Community The Governor and the Chief Minister greeted and to support Fr. Charles in his work. acknowledged the gathering. The Chief Minister - Correspondent Neiphiu Rio on behalf of his government thanked the Governor and his lady wife for hosting the LOTHA CATHOLIC YOUTH CONVENTION AT BHANDARI celebration in a grand manner. Special numbers were presented by choir groups from different churches The Lotha Catholic in Kohima. Youth Conference was held – Correspondent at Sacred Heart Church, Bhandari from 27th-29th De- KCYA SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATED cember, 2013. The convention got off to a colourful start with a solemn Eucharistic presided over by Rev. Fr. Mathew Mhabemo, Priest in-charge, St. Peter’s Centre, Sanis. The high light of the program included, sessions, competitions and cultural night etc. Mr. E. Kikon, Addl, Director, Geology and Mining, Dimapur, Frs. Abraham Lotha and Sojan animated the different sessions. Bishop James The year-long Silver Jubilee celebration of Kidima presided over the concluding Eucharistic celebration Catholic Youth Association (KCYA) of St. Francis on Sunday. An Eucharistic procession was taken out Xavier’s Church culminated on 22nd December, 2013 to the Bhandari town after the Holy Eucharist. Earlier with a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over Bishop James blessed the newly elected office by Bishop James Thoppil. Earlier bishop blessed and bearers. unveiled the Jubilee monolith. The new office - Correspondent bearers of the association were blessed after the Eucharistic celebration. The sing-inspiration group and Jubilee Choir entertained the audience during God, grant me the serenity to accept the felicitation. the things I cannot change, the cour- Shri. Er. Kropol Vitsu, Parliamentary Secretary, age to change the things I can and Information and Public Relations and Printing and the wisdom to know the difference. Stationery, Government of Nagaland was the chief guest on the first day. Rev. Fr. Raymond, the director - Reinhold Niebuhr of Eden Garden Children’s Home, Khuzama,

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FAMILY PRAYER AS THE UMBILICAL CODE WHICH CONNECTS US WITH GOD AND ONE ANOTHER Fr. Sojan Xavier, Puthankudy Bishop James has declared the year 2014 as the automatically become a habit in the life of the ‘Year of Family’ in our diocese. During this grace- members. filled moment, there are many programmes planned The recitation of prayers at a specified time for the fruitful celebration of it. During this occasion, each evening is good habit that should be cultivated there is a strong urge in me to write this article on in our homes. Such habits are bound to unite the importance of family Prayer. ourselves with God and establish belongingness to The parents always search food that gives one another in the family. We know that all too often nutrition to the members of the family. They know repeated words, “A family that prays together stays more or less which food contains calcium and which together.” food can give growth to the body. Though not An especially worth-while custom is the proportionately, we do not skip the intake of the food recitation of the Rosary. Pope Pius IX who earnestly for we know that we cannot survive long without it. advocated such practice during the last days of his Similarly regular prayer should be accorded the life. “Let the Rosary, this simple, beautiful method same importance for the spiritual nourishment of of prayer, enriched with many indulgences, be the family members. Just as we take care of the habitually recited of an evening in every household. bodily nourishment of our family members, when These are my last words to you; the memorial I leave parents inculcate the habit of daily prayer in their behind me”, he said. Rosary is a powerful spiritual family members, we are almost certain to develop weapon to combat the forces of evil. in them a strong friendship with Jesus. Just as Another custom that should become part of malnutrition can lead to stunned growth, lack of every home is the nightly reading of the Bible spiritual nourishment can lead to a wavered life. I passage and meditation upon it. The passage could often think of my mother on her knees with both be the given day’s Mass reading. hands extended as soon as the evening bell rang in As far as possible the family together should the parish church. The power of her prayer has great attend the Holy Mass. One of the most inspiring effect in my life and in the life of my family members. memories which many adults now hold is that of The importance of family prayer was taught their father, mother, brothers and sisters lined up by Our Lord himself. For he said: “Where two or with them at the altar rail, receiving the flesh and three are gathered together in My Name, then am I blood of Our Lord as a family unit. in the midst of them.” It would be a pleasing sight Under one roof, however busy our families for God to see the family unit which He ordained are, if we can spend time together, the blessings gathered together to worship Him. The presence of that follow will be innumerable. The hour spend in Jesus will surely be a source of blessing to the home prayer in the family will determine the direction of where parents and children unite to offer up prayer our life. Your faith in the necessity and efficacy of in common. The spirit of piety which this custom prayer gives you confidence in the future. The most develops will sanctify the bonds of family love and powerful force available in the world is that of prayer. ward off the dangers which often bring sorrow and Its regular practice serves to give meaning and a shame. sense of usefulness to our daily lives. We pray, not Many of us are baptized and made members only for solutions to our own personal and domestic of the church as infants. The parents took the problems, but for those of the whole world as well. responsibility of bringing us up in a God fearing way. Research by social scientists has produced The family prayer can be a real means for it. a huge mountain of data showing that families with There are so many occasions during which a strong religious commitment—in particular, family can pray together. The parents can teach the families that pray together—are more successful in family members to pray upon arising in the morning a wide variety of measurements: staying intact, and retiring at night and before and after meals. obtaining a good education, avoiding crime,

When prayers are said such occasion, it would escaping1234567 poverty, etc.

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1234567 NEWS - Diocese Pope offers Holy Family as a model for DEACON EMMANUEL ORDAINED PRIEST household prayer. At his regular weekly public audience Pope Benedict said, “The house of Nazareth eacon Emmanuel is a school of prayer”. “Mary is the peerless model D Patton SJ was ordained for the contemplation of Christ,” the Pope said, and as priest on 28th De- her devotion is “contagious.” St. Joseph was infected cember, 2013 at St. by it, he continued, and in the household with Mary John’s Church, Akuk Vil- and Jesus he fills the father’s role: “a silent but lage. His Lordship, faithful presence, constant and active.” It was under Bishop James Thoppil the guidance of St. Joseph, the Pope observed, that officiated the ordination Jesus “learned to alternate work and prayer, also ceremony. In his homily bishop reminded the dea- offering up to God the fatigue by which they earned con and the community that in order to serve the the bread the family needed.” people one has to be rooted in God. He also ex- After the occasion when Jesus was lost in the horted the congregation to continuously pray for Temple, the Pope said, the prayer life of the Holy him. The celebration was witnessed by a large num- Family became even more intense “because the ber of priests, religious and lay people. It may be profound significance of the relationship with God mentioned that Deacon Emmanuel is the third per- the Father began to spread from the Heart of the boy son to be ordained a priest from Akuk village, un- (then adolescent, then young man) Jesus to the hearts der St. Mary’s Parish, Lakhuti. of Mary and Joseph.” - Correspondent In their intimate life of prayer, the Pope said: The Holy Family is an icon of the domestic Church, which is called to pray together. The family is the ACWA CONVENTION AT KHONOMA first school of prayer where, from their infancy, children learn to perceive God thanks to the teaching The Angami Catholic and example of their parents. An authentically Women Association Con- Christian education cannot neglect the experience vention was held at of prayer. If we do not learn to pray in the family, it St. John the Evangelist will be difficult to fill this gap later. Hence, let prayer Parish, Khonoma, from in our families become the Umbilical code which 3rd to 5th January, 2014. connects us with God and One another and source The theme chosen for the convention was “Over- of blessings for our life. come evil with Good” (Rom 12:21). The Holy Eu- charist on Sunday was presided over by Bishop James. Bishop extended his warm greetings to CATHEDRAL YOUTH GOES FOR TREKKING I Angami catholic mothers and applauded their contribution to the Church. A total of 915 delegates Around 50 youth led by Fr. George Rino, secretary had registered for the convention. to Commission for education undertook trekking to - Correspondent the beautiful Western Dzuku Valley on 25th January. On reaching there, they celebrated Holy Eucharist. ST. JOSEPH CHURCH GOLDEN JUBILEE ANNOUNCED

Many of them were first timers and expressed their th joy of being to that beautiful place. It was also an On 5 January, 2014, the St. Joseph Church, occasion to bring together all the scattered youth of Viswema, announced its Golden Jubilee celebration the Cathedral parish. to be solemnized in 2016. The Golden Jubilee – Ms Catherine Organizing Committee is comprised of the following members: 1. Mr. Nosazol Charles, Chairman A good example is the best sermon - Anon 2. Mr. Sapi Joseph Kin, Vice Chairman Pain is never permanent - St. Teresa of Avila 3. Mr. Rokuvito Peter, Secretary

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1234567 12345676 1234567 NEWS - Diocese 4. Mr. Zhoto Stephen, Joint Secretary The 5. Mr. Vizhoho Kevin, Treasurer programme On the occasion of the was ani- announcement a Holy mated by Fr Mass was celebrated, Charles D which was presided over Souza SJ, by Rev. Fr. Victor SJ, Rev. Dr. Principal, Loyola Higher Anand Periera SJ, Sr. Deepthi FCC, Sr. Tessin Secondary School, FCC and Fr. Felix Monteiro SJ. The first batch with 60 teachers started on January 3 and culminated on Jakhama. Besides the th Catholic community of Viswema, a host of Catechists January 14, 2014. The second batch began on 16 January. The institute organizes such programme and Church Leaders from the neighbouring villages every year in the month of January. were present to pray for St. Joseph Catholic Church - Correspondent Community and bless the Golden Jubilee Organizing Committee Members. The function was presided over by Mr. NCYM ANNUAL LEADERS’ MEET HELD AT Rokuvito Peter, the Secretary of the Committee, and LONGLENG Mr. Nosazol Charles announced the Golden Jubilee celebration to be held in 2016. He also gave a brief A three- account of the history of how Christian Jubilee began day annual and how it should be celebrated. NCYM lead- The first preparative year 2014 was declared ers’ meet was as the year of Charity and Good Deeds. Accordingly, held at St. the first act of Charity and Good Deed was done by Joseph Par- distributing blankets to the oldest man and woman ish, Longleng selected from all the 4 Khels of the village (totaling from 17th to 20th January 2014. The high light of the 8 persons).The function concluded with a simple programme included sessions on faith by Fr. Sojan, lunch hosted by the Golden Jubilee Organizing the youth director, general meeting, visiting homes Committee on behalf of the St. Joseph Catholic and valedictory function. Around 45 leaders from Church, Viswema. different parishes participated in it. During the - Mr. Nosazol Charles programme, the leaders also took commitment to contribute in kind for the upcoming silver jubilee celebration of the Movement. It may be mentioned ST. PAUL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION CONDUCTS that the silver Jubilee of the NCYM will be held from IN-SERVICE PROGRAMME 9th to 12th January 2015 at Mary Help of Christians Cathedral, Kohima. St. Paul Institute of Education, Phesama, orga- - Ms. Mercy, Joint Secretary, NCYM nized an in-service programme with the theme ‘Teachers for Tomorrow’ for the elementary teach- PNC CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE ers. Teachers from all over North East took part in the programme. The main objective of such The twin celebration of Golden Jubilee and Gen- programme is to create opportunity for the teach- eral Congress of Poumai Naga Catholics was held ers to refresh and update themselves and creating from 09th to 13th January, 2014 at Veymy (Tunjoy). effective teaching learning situations. The ten-day Bishop James Thoppil was the chief Guest and main course was comprised of basic teaching skills, un- celebrant fro the Eucharitst on 11th of January. Bishop derstanding primary children, classroom manage- in his homily highlighted on the theme ‘Born Anew ment, understanding the role of teachers in the mod- to a Living Hope.” He urged the congregation to ern world, rhymes, dynamic games and action songs. rejoice because of the risen Christ and to strive af-

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PCYM CONVENTION CUM YOUTH FEST AT SAKSHI The 4th Phom Catholic Youth Con- vention cum Youth Fest was held from 3rd th ter the example of Christ. Rev. Fr. Antony Rozu, Sr. – 6 of January on the Veronica FMA and Mr. V. John Zholia animated the theme: ‘Rekindle the different sessions. During the congress Rev. Fr. Joby gift of God within you’ Kachappily VC, Director, Divine retreat Ashram, (2Tim:1:6), at St. Faridabad spiritually animated the participants. John’s Church Sakshi. Mr. Yongkai, Village Council - Correspondent Chairman of Sakshi was the Guest of honour and in his speech he urged the Youth to be hard working and to excel in their life, for they are the future of SUMI CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION HOLDS CONVENTION the community. Brother Charles Ongtok Phom from Oriens The Sumi Catholic Theological College, Shillong spoke on the theme Association of Nagaland ‘Role and challenges of Youth: A Christian response’ organized a convention and Mr. Teisovi Gerard Meyase, President of from 9th to 12th of January Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement (NCYM) spoke at Holy Cross Parish, on the theme ‘What I love about the Catholic Church Dimapur. Vinito Vincent & Christian Youth Leadership.’ OFM CAP, Solomon Other features of the convention included Kevishe and Hotoli were the main resource persons. competitions such as: solo, duet, trio, choir, Bible Bishop James officiated the Holy Eucharist on skit, Bible recitation, Choreography and marathon Sunday. During the occasion, Bishop released the race competitions. The Yongnyah village youth were Constitution of the Sumi Catholic Youth Movement declared as the overall champion of the competition. was also released. Awards were also given out for various categories. - Correspondent Mr. John Ngonyen of Yongnyah, Miss Teresa Yingnyu of Longleng, Mr. Simon of Tamlu, and Mr Dominic MAY THEIR SOULS REST IN PEACE Hongba of Sakshi were awarded as the ‘best youth 1. Mr. Selvaraj (59) Brother -In-Law of Fr. Anthony from their respective villages.’ Ms. Ape Maria and Swamy (Jalukie) passed away on 1st January, Mr. Bosco Enyu were awarded for their academic 2014. performance. Miss Rebecca Wondoi was declared 2. Mr. Juje Dias (45) Brother of Fr. Mathias Dias the most talented youth of the ‘Fest’. The new office Cap, Ofm (Dimapur, Capuchin House) died in bearers were elected and blessed during the an accident on 3rd January, 2014. occassion. There were a total of 300 participants 3. Rev. Fr. Everic Pais (87), former Spiritual for the Convention. - Bro. Charles Phom Director of Good Shepherd Seminary, Dimapur, died on 6th January, 2014 WHAT IS LIFE? 4. Mr. Mathew Ponthenvittil (92) Brother -in-Law They say its from B to D. of Sr. Chantal FCC died on 13th January, 2014. From Birth to Death, 5. Mrs. Mary (83) Mother of Sr. Lisa SCCG (Lazami) But whats between B and D? died on 28th Jan, 2014 Its a “C”, so what is a C? 6. Mr. Leao W Diniz (62) brother of Fr. Iraniu SFX IT IS A CHOICE. (Thenyizumi) died on 29th January, 2014 Our life is a matter of choices. Live well and it will never go wrong.

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LENT : PRIDE OF EVERY CHRISTIAN (Fr. Jaison Thomas, Pastoral Centre, Diocese of Kohima)

Lent is a period of forty days of preparation for In these days, let us add something beyond the the celebration of Easter through penance, prayer prescribed measure of prayer and fasting. Over and and works of charity. Lent is meant to be enjoyed, above this, let us offer to God something of our own not to be endured. It invites us to begin again, to free will in the joy of the Holy Spirit. Let us remember grow into maturity and to emerge spiritually stronger that, true love is shown not so much in what we do, through self-discipline. No matter what kind of a as in what we won’t do for love’s sake. mess we have made of things up to this point, Lent once again offers us an opportunity to leave our past The Lenten season has a two-fold character: it recalls behind and start again. Our life is a series of new baptism or prepares for it, and it stresses a beginnings and our glory consists in not falling, but penitential spirit. It helps us for celebrating the in rising every time we fall. That is the reason why paschal mystery after a period of closer attention we say Lent is the pride of every Christian. to the Word of God and more ardent prayer (Sacrosanctum Concilium 109). Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday are the highlights of the Lent is a growing period. God intends life for us, not season. death. We grow during Lent by accepting this ‘good news.’ The power of sin and its effects may have ASH WEDNESDAY, a day of fasting and prayer, marks flooded every area of lives, but salvation is possible the beginning of this holy season. for everyone who is willing to spend time with Jesus in the desert. PALM SUNDAY, the Sunday before Easter, commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Lent is a training period. It trains us to combat evil Jerusalem, an event mentioned in all four canonical through desert experience, as Jesus himself did for Gospels. (Mark 11:1.11, Matthew 21:1.11, Luke forty days. Christ asks us to look into the wilderness 19:28.44, and John 12:12.19) of our innermost selves, identify the desert areas in our lives and fill our souls with God’s power. We must HOLY THURSDAY, the most complex and profound see ourselves as we really are and to rid ourselves of all religious observance, celebrates Christ’s last of anything ungodly and unchristian. supper with the disciples, a celebration of Passover. We must place due emphasis on performing spiritual On GOOD FRIDAY, the entire Church fixes her gaze works, like attending the Stations of the Cross, on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church attending Mass, making a weekly holy hour before tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our the Blessed Sacrament, taking time for personal redemption. prayer and spiritual reading and most especially making a good confession and receiving sacramental EASTER, the principal feast of the ecclesiastical year, absolution. commemorates the slaying of the true Lamb of God and the Resurrection of Christ, the corner-stone upon Let us begin Lent with confidence, because whether which, our faith is built. we gaze with longing into the garden or with fear in “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness and to the desert, God walked there first. he remained there for forty days (Mk 1:12) is the basis for the forty days of Lenten observance. We Any concern too small to be turned into remain with Christ in the desert, being aware of our imperfections and come out with Him to commit a prayer is too small to be made into a more faithfully to our duties. burden. - Corrie ten Bloom

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12345678 123456789 12345678 NEWS - Diocese but should be Verb” he said. In the other talk he POCHURY CATHOLIC YOUTH CONVENTION CUM also exhorted the gathering about ‘victory through SILVER JUBILEE Christ’. The Pochury Catholic Youth Convention Cum Silver The celebration culminated with the Holy Jubilee was held at St. Xavier Parish, Meluri, from Eucharist officiated by Rev. Fr. Joe Mariadhas, 10th to 13th January, 2014, with the theme “Live the Director of St. Joseph College Men’s hostel, Jakhama word, Liberate the world.” The main resource persons and concelebrated by Rev. Frs. Thomas Muttathil, included Rev. Fr. Dr. George Punnolil, Mrs. Shimray Sajimon and Kokto Kurian. Rev. Fr. Sajimon, the Mungriephy and Mr. Jonas Yanthan, Advisor CAN. Parish Priest thanked the Catholic Community of The celebration ended with the Holy Mass officiated Konjuri, delegates and all the invited guests for the by Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou, Vicar General of the meaningful and strengthening participation in spite Diocese. The Jubilee Souvenir was released during of the distance and bad road condition. the felicitation programme. - Correspondent – Jievitho Augustine YOUTHS FROM NAGALAND PARTICIPATED IN JY WINTER CAMP FOR CATECHISM CHILDREN AT CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME MEDZIPHEMA 30 Youth from Nagaland participated in the Jesus Youth Cul- tural Exchange programme organized by the Jesus Youth Movement. The highlight of the programme included, one week re- Winter Camp for Catechism Children was held treat, living in catholic families and sharing of faith at St Francis De Sales, Medziphema, from 9th-12th and final gathering. The participants also had the January, 2014. Bishop on his visit urged them to Know opportunity to visit some important holy places in God, Love, and to Serve Him. The parish youth moni- Kerala. tored the programme. Competitions like bible quiz, – Seelumol, JY fulltimer, Kohima bible skit, solo, Duet and Choir were conducted during the camp. There were 128 participants from 8 ‘NATIONAL INTEGRATION CAMP’ AT NAGA villages. HERITAGE VILLAGE, KISAMA - Correspondent Nehru Yuva Kendra, Kohima has successfully 3RD GENERAL CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC WOMEN conducted the state level ‘National Integration Camp’ from December 12-16 at Naga Heritage, ASSOCIATION AT KONJURI Kisama, with 250 participants from the states of The 3rd General Conference of Catholic Women Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura, Association under Pungro parish was held at Konjuri Arunachal, and Nagaland. The valedictory function village, from 18th to 20th January, 2014 with the theme was graced by Chancellor cum youth director, Kohima “Faith and Action”. Men, women, youth and del- Diocese, Rev. Fr. Sojan Xavier. While appreciating egates from various villages participated in the Con- the dynamism and power of the youth, he called ference. Rev. Fr. Kokto Kurian, Assistant Priest, St. upon them to consider everyone as their brother and Francis Parish, Shamator was the main resource per- sister, though belonging to different races, language son. He urged every Christian to live a life of Action groups and cultures. He also stated that it is good

through faith. “Our faith should not be only noun education1234567 that builds up value system in one’s life.

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1234567 123456710 1234567 News - Diocese The highlights of the programme included Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, For- cultural extravaganza, Seminars, eco-trekking, visit titude, Piety and Fear of the Lord. to historic places, visit to Naga villages- Phesama The whole congregation participated in the and Kigwema and competition such as folk song, Eucharistic Procession which was taken out into the folk dance, know India quiz etc. The camp provided town, carrying the Holy Eucharist in a well deco- opportunity to the youth for first hand information rated float with the band from Hamren parish was on Naga way of life, learning each other’s culture the main attraction. Priests and religious from the and tradition, language, songs etc. The best Youth neighboring parishes and delegates from every Club award for state level was awarded to Youth catholic village of the parish took part in the cel- Club, Dimapur they recieved a cash award of Rs. ebration ended with a common meal. The bishop 25000 and a citation. thanked Fr. Kurian, the parish priest and the parish The resource persons who animated the council members for organizing such a meaningful various programmes included Abou Mere, Director, celebration. Kripa Kohima, John Besii, Vice Principal, Modern – Fr. Kurian College, Tewete, Asst. Professor, Modern college, DFO, Kohima, Laxman DYC, Phek, K. Kumar, DYC, LESSON IN LIFE Wokha, Buno, Asst. Prof., Kohima College, Khreizeno Angami, Asst. Prof. Kohima College, Henry, Scientist A wise man sat in the audience and cracked a , Science and Technology Council, Kohima and John joke. Makhabo, DYC NYK, Kohima. Everybody laughs like crazy. - Mr. John Makhabo After a moment, he cracked the same joke again. This time, less people laughed. PARISH FEAST CELEBRATED AT SFS, MEDZIPHEMA He cracked the same joke again and again, when St. Francis De there is no laughter in the crowd, Sales Parish cel- he smiled and said: ebrated its Parish You can’t laugh at the same joke again and again, Feast, the feast of but why do you keepp crying over the same thing its Patron saint, St. Francis De Sales, over and over again? with the solemn Holy Mass and the Eucharistic Procession. Holy Eucharist was officiated by Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the Bishop of A little boy and his mother were crossing a Kohima. The Bishop in his homily said that parish River... has a close relationship with its patron saint. The patron saint becomes the constant intercessor for MOTHER: “Please hold my hand” the parish community before God. Saints are also ordinary people who lived their Christian vocation BOY : “No Mom, You hold my hand.” with great fidelity and commitment. Jesus calls each believer to be saint, as St. Paul wrote to the MOTHER: “What’s the difference?” Corinthians. Referring to the various images in the bible such as light to the nations (Isaiah), light of the world (Jesus) Lamp of God (John the Baptist), he BOY: “If I hold your hand and something exhorted every Christian to be committed to the vo- happens to me....chances are that I may let cation God has given to them individually. He also your hand go, but if you hold my hand...I urged the First Communicants and those who re- know for sure, you will never let my hand ceived the Sacrament of Confirmation to grow and go” mature through the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit- 1234567

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INFORMATION FROM NCWA The Nagaland Catholic Women Association through ‘Sharing’ wishes to share with the associate Catholic women Associations of the parishes and Tribal Association about the following information.

1. NCWA has decided to approach the Angami Catholic Women Association (ACWA) for hosting of 2016 NCWA Convention. 2. Executive body meeting henceforth shall be three- day duration. 3. Shri Kevin Sekhose will be approached to modify the NCWA emblem. 4. A committee consisting of the following members is set up for the finalization for the approval of the NCWA Constitution. a. Mrs. Rita Chaya b. Ms. Vilanuo Angela c. Mrs. Zumchilo Patton d. Mrs. Carolyn Toshila e. Ms. Cyline Lea f. Sr. Sandra, Women Co-ordinator g. Fr. Mhabemo Mathew, Spiritual Director h. President/Gen. Secy Ex-officio Member 5. During the ‘Year of the Family’ NCWA will undertake Gospel Tour to some parts of Nagaland and conduct seminars on the Theme “Year of Family”. The details of the places, the scheduled dates and Month are as given below.

Sl. No Place Name Month Date Weekend

1. Rengma February 22nd 2014 Saturday 2. Pungro Town March 22nd -23rd Saturday & Sunday 3. Zeliang April 4. WokhaTown May 17th -18th 2014 Saturday & Sunday 5. Chakhesang August 9th -10th 2014 Saturday & Sunday 6. Lazami October 25th -26th 2014 Saturday & Sunday 7. Meluri November 15th -16th 2014 Saturday & Sunday

6. The House has decided to organize Home delivery of Vegetables during the month of September 2014 for fund raising. To this end, members of the different tribes has agreed to deliver their respective tribal vegetables to Kohima free of costs which in turn are to be packed and sold by the members of the NCWA, Kohima Unit. - Florete Sekhose, General Secretary, NCWA

“Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity.” - NELSON MANDELA

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MANDELA CAN’T DO IT ALL (Mr. Andrew Purchase)

world to be heroic.We don’t have to be sentenced to I am South I hard labour on Robben Island to get an opportunity to African. forgive. We just need a boss, a spouse, a friend, a Nelson fellow train commuter, members of another race group Mandela was in our community, or 20 minutes in rush hour. also South Af- If we think we are superior, we’ll never forgive rican. Since his anyone. Mandela thought the interests of others were death, there superior to his own. It promoted a unique brand of has been a lot kindness. The problem is not that we can’t be kind; it’s of emotion that we think we are superior and therefore have no poured out by my countrymen. People wept. Eulogies need to be kind.Sometimes I think people deify a hero flowed. Facebook grieved. Flags hung limply at half- in exchange for not having to act like the hero. It’s a mast. Everyone referred to him by using his intimate transaction to ease the conscience.Opportunities for family names - Madiba and Tata. It felt like everyone forgiveness are rife. They accost us every day.And in South Africa had lost a relative.World leaders paid heroes aren’t determined by the size of the audience. homage. The man-in-the-street gave honour. You must They are determined by the quality of their actions. be some kind of a legend to make the entire world We can forgive those who injure us.It’s just the sort of pause and lament. thing Mandela would do. What’s not to pay tribute to? Jailed for 27 years in a tiny cell. Sentenced to hard labour in Robben Is- land prison quarry. Tortured by racists for being anti- racist. And then to be released and actively promote QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK ABOUT THE SEASON OF LENT love for the enemy. All the while selflessly handing over power to a successor. He disarmed everybody - literally. He charmed everybody - universally. He loved Take up your cross and everybody - equally. He unified everybody - follow Jesus, and you will charismatically. enter eternal life. If you die Instead of a Nuremburg trial, the oppressor with Him, you will also live got a Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing: “If with Him, and if you share you honestly narrate your crimes, we’ll give you am- His suffering, you will also nesty.” His aim was to liberate both the oppressor and share His glory. the oppressed.”For to be free,” he famously said, “is HAT ARE THE WO OLD HEME OF THE ENT not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way W T -F T L : that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”He BAPTISM AND PENANCE? was the Doyen of Forgiveness. “No one is born hating In the ancient church, the sac- another person,” he said. “People must learn to hate, rament of Baptism was usually per- and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to formed once a year at Easter. Only love.”Forgiveness is the ability to treat an unworthy adults who were educated in the person as if they were altogether worthy. It is the Catholic Faith were baptized. No planet’s most urgent need, for we all require it. one could be baptized until they Mourn the great man by all means. But why not also had learned the catechism. When mourn the ways we do not forgive? We are in a person had a sufficient grasp of the Faith, he/she contradiction if we mourn the one but not the was put forth as a candidate, or “catechumen.” Fi- other.Nelson Mandela can’t do all the forgiving. Nelson nal examinations or “scrutinies” were given to these MandelaThe world needs a hero. The hero needs the catechumens 40 days before Easter to decide who

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1234567 123456713 1234567 News - Diocese / Regional nally a time of final preparation for the reception of The role of the Church in penitential the sacrament of Baptism at the Easter Vigil. Infant practices is not to be neglected, and the people are Baptism was rare until the beginning of the fifth to be exhorted to pray for sinners. century. But it was always regarded as valid and as During Lent penance should not be only inward and an apostolic institution, as we know from Irenaeus, individual but also outward and social, and should Origen and St. Cyprian. Sponsors at the Baptism of be directed toward works of mercy on behalf of our children are mentioned as early as A.D. 200 by brothers and sisters. Tertullian. The faithful should be urged to take a greater The focus on our baptismal vows and the and more fruitful share in the Lenten liturgy and participation in voluntary acts of penance during penitential services. They should be advised Lent, as practiced by the early Church, needs to be particularly to approach the sacrament of penance recaptured. Vatican II, as stated during Lent, in accordance with the law and throughSacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on traditions of the Church, so that they may share in the Sacred Liturgy), urges this return to this original the joys of Easter Sunday with purity of heart.” (As spirit of Lent: taken from Daily Roman Missal copyright 1993, Fr. The two elements which are especially char- James Socias) acteristic of Lent—(1) the recalling of baptism or the preparation for it, and (2) penance—should be WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ASHES THAT ARE given greater emphasis in the liturgy and in liturgi- IMPOSED ON OUR FOREHEADS ON ASH WEDNESDAY? cal catechesis. It is by means of them that the Church prepared the faithful for the celebration of Easter, Ash Wednesday opens up this season of while they hear God’s word more frequently and penitence.”Remember, man, you are dust, and unto devote more time to prayer. dust you shall return.” During Lent, penance should be not only be internal So says the priest as he and individual but also external and social. The prac- makes the sign of cross tice of penance should be encouraged in ways suited with ashes on our to the present day, to different regions, and to indi- foreheads. The ashes are vidual circumstances. (109, 110) made by burning the The General Norms for the Liturgical Year previous year’s blessed and Calendar and Ceremonial of Bishops from 1969 palms. This is a vivid echoes this exhortation: reminder of our mortal Through the two-fold theme of repentance nature. We are bodies fashioned from dust. ”Then and baptism, the season of Lent disposes both the catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the the Lord God formed man out of the dust of the paschal mystery. Catechumens are led to the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of sacraments of initiation by means of the rite of life, and man became a living being” (Gen 2:7). Our election, the scrutinies, and catechesis. The faithful, bodies were made from nothing, and will return to listening more intently to the word of God and nothing when we die. Ashes are a symbol of this devoting themselves to prayer, passing world, a reminder of our death. are prepared through a spirit of The imposition of ashes is also a symbol of repentance to renew their penance and sorrow for our sins. The practice of baptismal promises. sprinkling ashes on one’s head as a sign of penance Catechesis should was customary even in the Old Testament—in the impress upon the minds of the Book of Esther, Mordecai put on sackcloth and ashes faithful not only the social (Est 4:1); Job sat in sackcloth and ashes to repent consequences of sin but also (Job 42:6); all of Ninevah put on sackcloth and ashes the essence of the virtue of to repent after Jonah’s preaching (Jon 3:5-6). In early penance, namely, detestation of Christian centuries the imposition of ashes was only sin as an offense against God. used for public sinners, but around the year 1000

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1234567814 News - Catholic World A.D. popes and all faithful started to receive the according to the fifth precept of the Church. Today, ashes as a sincere and external token that we are the regulations are not as prohibitive. In 1966, Pope all poor sinners. Paul VI issued his Apostolic Constitution on Ashes remind us of the curse from Genesis. Penance, Pænitemini, which states: After Adam and Eve committed the Original Sin, God The time of Lent preserves its penitential expelled them from the Garden of Eden with these character. The days of penitence to be observed words: under obligation throughout the Church are all Cursed be the ground because of you; in toil Fridays and Ash Wednesday, that is to say the first shall you eat of it all the days of your life; thorns days of “Grande Quaresima” (Great Lent), according and thistles shall it bring forth to you, and you shall to the diversity of the rite. Their substantial eat the plants in the field. In the sweat of your brow observance binds gravely. you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, Abstinence and fasting are to be observed since out of it you were taken; for dust you are and on Ash Wednesday or, according to local practice, on the first day of ‘Great Lent’ and on Good Friday. unto dust you shall return (Gen 3:17-19). 1. The law of abstinence forbids the use of The Church repeats these words as the cross meat, but not of eggs, the products of is traced on our foreheads ”Remember, man, you milk or condiments made of animal fat. are dust and to dust you shall return.” Thus this opens 2. The law of fasting allows only one full a theme that is echoed throughout Lent and then meal a day, but does not prohibit taking decidedly pronounced during the Easter Vigil. In some food in the morning and evening, the Exsultet, the Church rejoices in this Original Sin, observing—as far as quantity and because it brought the Redemption: ”O happy fault, quality are concerned—approved local O necessary sin of Adam, which gained for us so great custom. a Redeemer!” To the law of abstinence those are bound who have The liturgy of Ash Wednesday gives us completed their 14th year of age. To the law of fast guidelines for our 40 day journey. We pray for those of the faithful are bound who have completed blessing upon our endeavors in the opening prayer their 18th year and up until the beginning of their at Mass: 60th year. As regards those of a lesser age, pastors “Lord, protect us in our struggle against evil. As we of souls and parents should see to it with particular begin the discipline of Lent, make this season holy care that they are educated to a true sense of by our self-denial.” penitence. The Old Testament reading is from the Wherefore, Catholics are urgently and Prophet Joel 2:18. Here the message is very clear: prayerfully are asked to make of the entire Lenten do penance, but avoid an outward show, ”Rend your season a period of special penitential observance. hearts and not your garments.” Our penance should Following the instructions of the Holy See, we are not be mere hypocrisy. It is an interior change that obliged both to fast and to abstain from meat, an is more important. obligation observed under a more strict formality by our fathers in the faith, still binds on Ash Why Fasting and Abstinence? Wednesday and Good Friday. WHAT ARE THE THREE COMPONENTS FOR LENT? The regulations of Lenten fasting and abstinence were once quite strict. Neither meat nor animal In Lent, more than any other season, we turn products (such as dairy and eggs) were to be eaten our attention to spiritual health. Lent is consisted throughout the forty days, and only one meal per of three components. day was allowed. The restrictions were for every day of Lent, except Sundays, which were a day to relax First, as a matter of humility and obedience, it is from fasting. essential to observe at least the minimum We are required by Church law to observe requirements of the Church. In most places these the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence are: 1234567

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123456715 News - Catholic World (1) Persons aged 18 the desert for forty years (Num 14:34); the Prophet through 59 must fast on Ezekiel had to lie on his right side for forty days as a Ash Wednesday and figure of the siege that was to bring Jerusalem to Good Friday. Fasting destruction (Ez 4:6); the Prophet Elijah fasted and means no more than one prayed on Mount Horeb for forty days (1 Kings 19:8); full meal, with up to two and finally, Moses fasted forty days and forty nights other small meals which while on Mt. Sinai (Ex 34:28). together do not equal In the New Testament we find Our Lord another full meal, and fasting and praying for forty days and forty nights in nothing between meals the desert in preparation for the public ministry that except water; would end in his redeeming death (Luke 5:35). He is (2) Persons aged 14 and over must abstain from meat the new Adam who overcomes the temptations of on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays in Lent. the devil and remains faithful to God; the new Israel, Second, one ought to seek to follow the mind of the who reveals himself as God’s Servant by his total Church in developing one’s spiritual life. The Church obedience to the divine will, in contrast to those always recommends prayer, sacrifice, and who provoked God in the desert. The Church sets almsgiving during Lent. But the Pope’s annual brief aside the forty days of Lent in order that we might Lenten address provides a particular focus each year. imitate Our Lord by our fasting, prayer, self-denial Third, especially for families, it is important to find and good works, and thereby prepare our hearts for ways to integrate the Lenten season into the life of an Easter renewal. “By the solemn forty days of Lent the domestic church. For this purpose, Catholic the Church unites herself each year to the mystery Culture.org’s liturgical year materials are unequaled. of Jesus in the desert.” (Catholic Catechism, #540).

WHY THE PERIOD OF LENT FORTY DAYS? FATHERS OF THE CHURCH The time period of the Lenten season is 40 days. Fathers of the Church are saintly writers of the We find Old and New Testament examples for this early centuries whom the Church recognizes as time frame of prayer and fasting. Lent begins on her special witnesses of the faith. Ash Wednesday, which is actually forty-six days before Easter. We say that Lent is forty days in number because the six Sundays are excluded from The BIBLE the rigors of Lent in order to afford the faithful a time to pause and rejuvenate, gathering new may hurt you strength. Since the restructuring of the Liturgical Year after Vatican II, the Easter Triduum, which with the truth begins on Holy Thursday, is not included in the but it will Lenten season, so the actual days of rigorous Lenten observance are approximately forty days. NEVER The number forty is found frequently in scripture to signify either a time of penitential comfort you preparation, or a time of punishment and affliction with a lie. sent from God. The Old Testament is replete with examples of the use of forty: God punished mankind by sending a flood over the earth that lasted forty “I feel a very unusual sensation – if days and forty nights (Gen 7:12); the people of it is not indigestion, I think it must Ninevah repented with forty days of fasting when Jonah preached the destruction of Ninevah (Jonah be gratitude.” 3:4); Moses and the Hebrew people wandered in - Benjamin Disraeli

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123456716 News - Catholic World POPE FRANCIS: DIVISIONS AMONG CHRISTIANS sheep, shown on the horizontal bar of the cross, on either side of the figure of Jesus as the Good ARE A SCANDAL Shepherd. Above Jesus’ head: a dove, symbol of Pope Francis paused the Holy Spirit. his catechetical series of The cross is what he stressed in his first talks on the Sacraments homily as Pope, at a Mass with the Cardinals in the today to speak on the Sistine Chapel to close the conclave that elected Week of Prayer for Chris- him our new Holy Father. “If we walk without the tian Unity. The theme of Cross and build without the Cross and confess in this year’s week of prayer Christ without the Cross, then we are not the Lord’s was taken from the First Letter of Paul to the disciples,” he said. “We are a worldly people. We Corinthians: “Is Christ divided?””This spiritual and may be bishops, priests, cardinals, popes. But we most precious initiative has involved Christian com- are not disciples of the Lord.” munities for more than one hundred years. It is a In that same message, he underscored the time dedicated to prayer for the unity of all the bap- fundamental duty we have as those disciples – to tized, in keeping with the will of Christ: “that they proclaim Christ. “If we don’t proclaim Christ, may all be one’”, the Pope said. something is wrong,” Pope Francis explained. Referring to the theme, the Holy Father said Without that proclamation, he noted, “we would that while certainly Christ was not divided, sadly become a compassionate NGO and not a Christian communities continue to live divided. “The Church.”Throughout the world, the Pontifical Mission divisions among us Christians are a scandal. There Societies support those who proclaim Christ in all is no other word: a scandal,” he said. Divisions, he they do, in their words, witness and service to the stressed, only serve to weaken the credibility of the poor and vulnerable – knowing that the Person and evangelization and would thus “risk emptying the presence of the Lord is the greatest gift we offer. Cross of its power.”The Holy Father reflected on Paul’s In a meeting with the College of Cardinals reproaching of the community of Corinth, who each on Friday, March 15, Pope Francis encouraged them claimed to be of a different apostle, whereas Paul and all in the Church to persevere in their missionary said that he was “of Christ.””Despite the suffering witness to Jesus and His Good News. He said: “Let of the divisions, which unfortunately still remain, us never give in to pessimism, to that bitterness let us receive Paul’s words as an invitation to re- that the devil offers us every day.... We have the joice sincerely for the graces granted by God to other firm certainty that the Holy Spirit gives the Church Christians: let us recognize it and rejoice,” the Pope with His mighty breath, the courage to persevere said.Concluding his brief catechesis, Pope Francis and also to seek new methods of evangelization, to called on the faithful gathered to find in other Chris- bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth.” tians something that we are in need of in our lives. - CNA/EWTN News Doing so, he said, “requires much prayer, humility, reflection and constant conversion.””Let us go for- POPE FRANCIS LAMENTS CHURCH SCANDALS, HARM ward on this path, praying for the unity of Chris- CAUSED BY CORRUPT CLERGY tians, so that this scandal may cease and be no longer with us,” the Pope concluded. (J.A.E.) At a Mass concelebrated with two cardinals, – Zenith.org including Cardinal Roger Mahony, Pope Francis denounced the harm caused by clerical scandals. In POPE FRANCIS… AND THE GOOD SHEPHERD its summary of the January 16 weekday Mass homily, L’Osservatore Romano reported that the Pope Pope Francis chose to keep something that he preached: “So many scandals that I do not wish to had in Buenos Aires – his pectoral cross. A simple mention individually, but we all know about them. silver cross, it includes the image of Christ as the We know where they are! Some scandals have been Good Shepherd. Around the Lord’s neck, the lost very costly. Okay...” At this point, Pope Francis spoke sheep, found and returned to the flock of other bluntly about the “shame of the Church” over those 1234567

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123456717 News - Catholic World scandals that echo as so many “defeats of priests, wool will be used to weave palliums for new metro- bishops and laity.” politan archbishops, who will receive them on June The problem, the Pope continued, is that “the 29, the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. The pal- word of God was rare in those scandals. In those lium – a white stole adorned with six black crosses men, in those women, the word of God was rare. – is a liturgical vestment worn by the Pope and the They did not have a bond with God. They had a metropolitan archbishops in their Churches and in position in the Church, a position of power as well those of their Provinces. The pallia are stored in a as comfort” but not “the word of God.” The Pontiff casket near the Confessio Petri and the pontiff be- added: “It is pointless to say “but I wear a medal, I stows them upon the new archbishops on the So- wear a cross: yes, like those who carried the ark lemnity of the Saints Peter and Paul, as a sign of without a living relationship with God and with the union with the Apostolic See.The nuns of the Ro- word of God!” Then, recalling Jesus’ words regarding man convent of San Lorenzo in Panisperna raise the scandals, the Pope repeated that scandals bring lambs, the symbolic animal of St. Agnes who was about “the decay of the people of God, to the point martyred in Rome around the year 305. of weakness and the corruption of priests.” – Zenith.org Pope Francis concluded his homily with two thoughts: the word of God and the people of God. ‘POISON’ OF JEALOUSY DESTROYS COMMUNITIES, Regarding the first, he suggested an examination STRESSES POPE of conscience: “Is the word of God alive in our hearts? Does it change our lives, or is it like the ark In his daily homily Pope Francis warned against that comes and goes” but “doesn’t enter our hearts?” the dangers of envy, explaining that it is a sin which Regarding the people of God, he paused to reflect fosters bitterness against our brothers, stifles our on the harm that scandals cause them: “Poor people joy and inhibits us from truly praising God.When … poor people!” he said. “We do not give them the someone in a Christian community suffers from bread of life to eat! We do not give them the truth! jealousy, the community “ends up divided: one So many times, we give them poisoned food!” “It is against the other,” the Pope explained in his Jan. 23 so evident that Pope Francis is a man of prayer, a daily Mass, emphasizing that “this is a strong poison holy Successor to St. Peter,” Cardinal Mahony wrote – a poison that we find on the first page of the Bible on his blog. “It is remarkable how he is able to reflect in Cain.” on the Scriptures of the day without any notes or Giving his remarks to those gathered in the text — but flowing directly from his prayer life and Vatican’s Saint Martha guesthouse, the Pope from his heart.” Later that morning, Cardinal Mahony centered his homily on the day’s first reading, taken met with Pope Francis, and the two discussed the from the First Book of Samuel in which King Saul needs of migrants, according to the retired Los seeks to kill David out of jealousy for his victory Angeles archbishop. over Goliath. - CNA/EWTN News After hearing the women praise David, Saul’s joy turns into sadness and jealousy, and “that great POPE FRANCIS PRESENTED WITH LAMBS victory begins to undergo defeat in the heart of the King,” the Pope expressed. On the morn- Just like the “worm of jealousy and envy” that seeped ing of the feast of into the heart of Cain when he killed his brother St. Agnes, Pope Abel, the pontiff emphasized that “this is what Francis was pre- jealousy does in our hearts.” “It is a destructive sented with two anxiety which cannot tolerate that a brother or sister lambs that had has something that I have not.”And “instead of been blessed praising God for this victory as did the women of earlier in the morning. The blessing took place in Israel,” observed the Pope, Saul “prefers to withdraw the basilica on Rome’s Via Nomentana, which bears into himself, feeling sorry for himself” and to “stew the saint’s name and where she is buried. The lambs’ his feelings in the broth of bitterness.” “Jealousy

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123456718 News - Catholic World leads to murder. Envy leads to murder,” the pontiff POPE FRANCIS’ FERVENT HOPES FOR PEACE IN HIS NEW continued, adding that “it was this door, the door of YEAR MESSAGE envy, through which the devil entered the world.”Highlighting how “jealousy and envy open A hopeful, yet sadly still unfulfilled dream, is re- the doors” to “all evil things,” Pope Francis noted flected in the title of Pope Francis’ Jan. 1, 2014 World that “they also divide the community.” Day of Peace message, “Fraternity, the Foundation The Pope went on to describe that there are and Pathway to Peace.””In the heart of every man two “very clear” things present in the heart of and woman,” writes the pope, “is the desire for a someone who is affected by jealousy, the first of full life, including that irrepressible longing for fra- which is that “the envious person, the jealous person, ternity which draws us to fellowship with others and is a bitter person who doesn’t know how to sing, enables us to see them not as enemies or rivals, how to praise, (or) know what joy is.”Looking at but as brothers and sisters to be accepted and em- someone in this way, considering only what they braced. “Fraternity is an essential human quality, have and what we don’t have, “leads to bitterness, for we are relational beings. A lively awareness of a bitterness that spreads throughout the whole our relatedness helps us to look upon and to treat community,” the pontiff stated, referring to people each person as a true sister or brother; without fra- with this mentality as “sowers of bitterness.” ternity it is impossible to build a just society and a A second approach which “brings jealousy solid and lasting peace.” and envy, are rumors,” revealed the Pope, Pope Francis observes that our world is emphasizing that when a person sees someone else marked by a “globalization of indifference” which who has something that they want, the solution is leads to a coldness towards “the suffering of others often to put the other person down” so that “I am a and closed in on ourselves.”Francis adds, “The many bit higher up.” “Gossip” is a tool that is frequently situations of inequality, poverty and injustice, are used in this situation, observed the Pope, noting that signs not only of a profound lack of fraternity, but behind every rumor, “there is jealousy and also of the absence of a culture of solidarity.”In an envy.””Gossip divides the community, destroys the age where God is often ignored, Pope Francis community. Rumors are the weapons of the devil.” counters that true and lasting fraternity must first “How many beautiful Christian communities were and foremost be based on the recognition of a getting along well” but were divided because one common, transcendent Father, and his plan for member allowed the “worm of jealousy and envy” humanity as presented in sacred Scripture – to enter their heart, the pontiff lamented. With this especially in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus jealousy comes “sadness, resentment and gossip,” Christ.”The succession of economic crises,” says the he explained, highlighting that a person under the pope, “should lead to a timely rethinking of our influence of envy “kills.” Bringing his reflections to models of economic development and to a change a close, Pope Francis asked for prayer for “our in lifestyles.” Christian communities so that this seed of jealousy To a very large extent, we have a brutal, will not be sown between us, so that envy will not winner-take-all economic model – where the rich get take root in our heart” or “in the heart of our fat and the poor are thrown crumbs from the feast. communities, so we can move forward with praise There are better, far more ethical economic models to the Lord, praising the Lord with joy.””It is a great that use Fair Trade practices which more equitably grace, the grace of not falling into sadness, being benefit growers, workers and costumers (see resentful, jealous and envious.” www.fairtradeusa.org). - CNA/EWTN News Here the pope writes, “I would like to remind everyone of that necessary universal destination of PRAYER is a state of mind, where an amazing all goods which is one of the fundamental principles exchange happens. We hand over our worries of the Church’s social teaching.” “I appeal forcefully,” to God and He hands over His blessings to us. writes the pope, “to all those who sow violence and Judge not, that ye be not judged. - Mt. 7:1 death by force of arms: in the person you today see simply as an enemy to be beaten, discover rather 12345678

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1234567819 News - Catholic World your brother or sister, and hold comments is his yearly “State of Syria, the instability of the Middle back your hand! “Give up the way the World” address to diplomats East, threats to the religious of arms and go out to meet the accredited to the Vatican.”It is liberty of Christians, violence in other in dialogue, pardon and horrific even to think that there are Africa, the plight of migrants, and reconciliation, in order to rebuild children, victims of abortion, who damage to the environment. justice, trust, and hope around will never see the light of day,” he The annual papal address you! ‘From this standpoint, it is said in part of the speech that to the diplomatic corps, clear that, for the world’s peoples, addressed the rights of children traditionally delivered in early armed conflicts are always a around the world. January, is viewed as a major deliberate negation of “Unfortunately, what is outline of the Holy See’s international harmony, and create thrown away is not only food and geopolitical concerns, and profound divisions and deep dispensable objects, but often sometimes characterized as the wounds which require many years human beings themselves, who Pope’s “state of the world” to heal.’” are discarded as unnecessary.”The address. Pope Francis was Acknowledging the BBC’s Alan Johnston in Rome says delivering the address for the first dangerous fact that the world is that there has been concern in time since his election in March flooded with weapons, Pope some quarters of Roman 2013. Francis clearly states, “For this Catholicism that the pope has not After some introductory reason, I make my own the been putting the church’s view on remarks, the Pope turned appeal of my predecessors for the abortion forcefully enough. immediately to the question of non-proliferation of arms and for Our correspondent says family life, noting that “the disarmament of all parties, that the Pope’s stance favouring number of broken and troubled beginning with nuclear and mercy over condemnation has families is on the rise” around the chemical weapons disarmament. made more conservative Roman world. Emphasizing the critical - CWN Catholics uneasy, but they will importance of family life for welcome his latest remarks.Some societal strength, he called for POPE FRANCIS DENOUNCES months ago Pope Francis “suitable policies aimed at acknowledged that he had said supporting, assisting and ‘HORROR’ OF ABORTION little on issues like abortion and strengthening the family.” contraception.But he explained The Holy Father went on that he felt it was not necessary to observe with regret that “it to talk about these controversial also happens that the elderly are questions “all the time”. looked upon as a burden, while - CWN young people lack clear prospects for their lives.” He continued: “Yet POPE GIVES TOP PRIORITY TO the elderly and the young are the FAMILY LIFE IN ‘STATE OF THE hope of humanity.” Recalling the ope Francis has issued his enthusiasm of the young people P WORLD’ ADDRESS strongest condemnation yet of that he had encountered at World abortion, calling it a “horrific” In a January 13 address to the Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, the symptom of a “throwaway Vatican diplomatic corps, Pope Pope urged world leaders to culture” that placed too little Francis cited the words of his provide opportunities for young value on human life. predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, people. He said it was was “frightful” to saying that “the language of the In a rundown of the think about early pregnancy family is a language of world’s particular trouble spots, terminations. Since his election in peace.”Pope Francis gave top the Pope began with Syria. He March, the pope has not spoken priority to family life in his renewed his call for a negotiated out against abortion as sternly as address. He also spoke of Vatican solution to the country’s conflict, his predecessors.He made the concerns about the conflict in and thanked those who had 12345678

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1234567820 News - Catholic World answered his September call for Latin America bound for the He also acknowledged the prayer and fasting for the people United States.” Insisting that any passing of Alejandro Valladares of Syria. He praised the offense against human dignity is Lanza, who had served for years neighboring countries—especially a threat to world peace, the Pope as the Honduran ambassador to Lebanon and Jordan—that have decried the prevalence of a the Holy See, and was dean of the given shelter to hundreds of “throwaway culture” that views diplomatic corps until his death thousands of Syrian refugees. some human beings as last year. - CWN Speaking more generally expendable. “For example,” he about the Middle East, the Pope said, “it is frightful even to think PUERTO RICO LAYMAN COULD again quoted Benedict XVI in there are children, victims of BECOME SECOND BLACK SAINT saying that “the moral force of abortion, who will never see the FROM AMERICAS law” must prevail over “the light of day.” In the same section material force of arms.” He of his talk he condemned the Pope Francis has approved the reiterated his call for a resumption enlistment of children in armed heroic virtues of Servant of God of negotiations between Israeli forces and their exploitation in Rafael Cordero Molina, a layman and Palestinian leaders, and human trafficking, “which is a from Puerto Rico who dedicated expressed concern about crime against humanity.” Finally his life to fighting racism and edu- instability in Lebanon and Iraq. He the Pope assailed “the greedy cating black children. If canon- did voice some satisfaction with exploitation of environmental ized, Molina would be the second the progress of negotiations with resources.” A proper approach to black layman from the American Iran over the development of the world’s resources, he said, continent to be made a saint, fol- nuclear potential. “The exodus of should be based on the lowing St. Martin de Porres. Christians from the Middle East understanding that the world is “a Molina, whose and North Africa continues to be gracious gift which we must care beatification cause is now moving a source of concern,” he added. for and set at the service of our forward, devoted more than 58 Turning to Africa, the Pope brothers and sisters, including years of his life to teaching. He decried the violence in Nigeria future generations.” founded a school to educate and in the Central African Pope Francis concluded children in the principles of the Republic. While noting steps his talk by promising that the Holy Christian faith and morality. Born toward a restoration of security in See would cooperate with world on Oct. 24, 1790, Molina was Mali, he expressed dismay about leaders in every effort to promote educated by his parents, as black the unrest in South Sudan and the human dignity and address human individuals at the time did not growing humanitarian crisis needs. The Vatican now has have the right to education and there. “Nor can we be unmoved formal diplomatic relations with his family could not afford to send by the tragedies which have 180 countries— as well as special him to a school. forced so many people to flee representatives from the In 1810 as an adult, he from famine, violence and European Union, the Knights of opened his own school and gave oppression, particularly in the Malta, and the Palestinian free classes to black children who Horn of Africa and in the Great Authority—and permanent were unable to pay for a teacher. Lakes Region,” the Pope said. observer status at the United Eventually, even white families The suffering of migrants Nations and its affiliated began sending their children to was another major theme of the organizations. study under him. Some of his papal address. He recalled his In his greeting to the students would become leaders of emotional visit to the island of ambassadors accredited to the the abolition of slavery in Puerto Lampedusa, where he mourned Holy See, the Pope acknowledged Rico. Molina died on July 5, 1868. the migrants lost in the the greetings that had been A few months before his death, Mediterranean as they sought to offered by the dean of the Vatican he called on the state to complete reach Europe. The Pontiff also diplomatic corps, Ambassador the education of his last students.

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12345678 1234567821 12345678 News - Catholic World POPE FRANCIS ANNOUNCES NEW CARDINALS JOHN PAUL II’S SECRETARY TO PUBLISH HIS PERSONAL NOTES Following his Angelus address on January 12, Pope Francis announced the names of 19 prelates Pope John Paul II’s secretary “did not have the who will become cardinals in the consistory of courage” to burn all of the pontiff’s notes after his February 22, the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter death, and is now having some of them published, the Apostle. he said on Wednesday. The book, Very Much in Four of the new cardinals are currently serving in God’s Hands. Personal Notes 1962-2003, comes out senior positions on the Roman Curia, and 12 are on February 5 in Poland, where the pope is still a residential bishops. Pope Francis also announced much loved authority. It contains religious that he would honor three prelates by raising them meditations that Karol Wojtyla recorded between to the College of Cardinals in recognition of their July 1962, when he was a bishop in Poland, and outstanding service to the Church, although they are March 2003, when he was pope. above the age of 80 and therefore ineligible to Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz told a news participate in a papal conclave. The new curial conference that in preserving some of the notes he cardinals will be: was motivated by the “despair of historians” when 1. Archbishop Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State the letters of Pope Pius XII were burned after his 2. Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri, Secretary death, as he had wished. General of the Synod of Bishops In his last will, John Paul commissioned 3. Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Prefect Dziwisz, his personal secretary and closest aide of of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the almost 40 years, to burn his personal notes. Instead, Faith Dziwisz kept them and is having them published 4. Archbishop Beniamino Stella, Prefect of the before John Paul is declared a saint April 27 in Rome. Congregation for the Clergy They were made available to the Vatican in the The new cardinals who govern dioceses will be; pope’s fast-track beatification and sainthood 1. Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster processes. (Great Britain) In his notes, contained in two bound 2. Archbishop Leopoldo José Brenes Solórzano notebooks, the pope “reveals a part of his soul, of of Managua (Nicaragua) his meeting with God, contemplation and piety and 3. Archbishop Gérald Cyprien Lacroix of Québec that is the greatest value,” Dziwisz said in Krakow, (Canada) where he is archbishop and where Wojtyla was also 4. Archbishop Jean-Pierre Kutwa of Abidjan bishop and cardinal.He said he burned “those letters (Ivory Coast) and notes that required burning,” but said it would 5. Archbishop Orani João Tempesta, OCist, of have been a crime to burn all the notes which give Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) insight into the pope’s soul. “In keeping them I 6. Archbishop Gualtiero Bassetti of Perugia- respected his will,” he insisted. Città della Pieve (Italy) At first, Wojtyla made notes only in Polish, 7. Archbishop Mario Aurelio Poli of Buenos but later also in Italian and Latin with Greek and Aires (Argentina) Spanish inclusions, according to Henryk 8. Archbishop Andrew Yeom Soo jung of Seoul Wozniakowski, head of the Catholic publishers Znak. (South Korea) The book’s editor, Agnieszka Rudziewicz, said the 9. Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati Andrello, SDB, of notes are an “extraordinary record of a spiritual Santiago (Chile) path” and a record of Wojtyla’s “self-development 10. Archbishop Philippe Nakellentuba and road to sainthood,” but readers should not Ouédraogo of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) expect “sensation.”John Paul died in 2005 at the age 11. Archbishop Orlando B. Quevedo, OMI, of of 84, after 26 years as pope. Cotabato (Philippines) – UCAN NEWS 12. Bishop Chibly Langlois of Les Cayes (Haiti) - Zenith Org. 1234567

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123456722 News - Catholic World POPE FRANCIS’ WRITINGS ON ECOLOGY COULD The discovery at the BECOME ENCYCLICAL Longmen Grottoes, a UNESCO World A statement released by the Vatican last Friday Heritage site in revealed that Pope Francis has begun to work on a central Henan text surrounding the topic of ecology, which could province, was made eventually become an encyclical. Vatican in 2009. Its spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi confirmed the verification was news in his Jan. 24 statement, noting that in his announced to the public this week.Precise dating text, the Pope intends to give a strong emphasis to has yet to be carried out, but it would have been the theme of “human ecology” – a phrase that was created at some time during China’s Ming and Tang originally coined by retired pontiff Benedict XVI. dynasties of 316-907 AD. It has yet to be established This expression, explained the spokesman, if it is older than the well known Nestorian Stele, an describes not only how the faithful must respect the inscribed limestone tablet found in Xi’an, Shaanxi, environment, but also how the nature of the person which dates back to 781 AD and is currently – masculine and feminine as created by God – must considered the most ancient Nestorian artefact. also be defended.Fr. Lombardi highlighted that The discovery was made by Jiao Jianhui, a although the Pope has already begun writing, the researcher at the Longmen Grottoes Research text is still in its early stages and it is too early to Institute. The grottoes contain thousands of Buddhist predict a possible time of publication. and Daoist statues and carvings, But Jiao told Pope Francis’ first encyclical, entitled ucanews.com that “this is the first discovery of a “Lumen Fidei,” or “Light of Faith,” was released last religious relic other than that of Buddhism and summer on July 5. It was written by the pontiff as a Daoism”.Jiao recalled the moment when he completion of the work initiated by his predecessor, discovered the site by chance. “I felt instantly that Benedict XVI, who resigned before the document it was different from other niches and grottoes,” he was finished.Benedict XVI had been writing the said.”There are many similar niches at the grottoes, encyclical on faith as the third in a trilogy dedicated carved with Buddha statues as well as inscriptions to the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope and to say that the deceased are buried there. So it is Love. The first to be published was his letter on Love certain that the Nestorian site was also for burials.” “Deus Caritas Est,” meaning “God is Love,” and the he said. next was “Spe Salvi,” or “Saved in Hope.” Originating in the Middle East in the fifth According to what an Italian bishop stated century AD, the Nestorian Christian Church was on his website in May of last year, Pope Francis is initially recognized by the Tang Emperor Taizong but also in the process of writing another encyclical on suppressed by his successors.As Jiao pointed out, poverty, which is to be titled after the beatitude the discovery of the site puts a different perspective “Blessed Are the Poor,” however there is no projected on historians’ beliefs about those early days in date for its completion. China. “Historical records shows Buddhist - CNA/EWTN News suppression of the Nestorian Church in the Tang Dynasty,” he said. “But the niche shows some ISTORIC HRISTIAN SITE FOUND IN HINA H C C religious tolerance, as the two religions could A recently discovered site may shed new light on coexist harmoniously at the Grottoes.”Now known historical research into the Nestorian Church, which as the Assyrian Church of the East, the Nestorian is believed to be the earliest Christian movement Church was regarded by the Catholic Church as to spread the Gospel in China.A niche in a stone schismatic. But in 1994, the two Churches signed a wall with a cross carved above it has now been common declaration of doctrine. - CWN verified by experts as a repository for the ashes and bones of Christians. The experts also confirmed that God test His real friends more severely than the this is the earliest Nestorian burial place discovered lukewarm ones. - Katheryn Hulme so far in China. 1234567

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123456723 News - Catholic World DOCTRINAL DISPUTES AMONG ORTHODOX LEADERS POPE FRANCIS EXHORTS CHRISTIANS TO NOT BE POSE PROBLEMS FOR ECUMENICAL DISCUSSIONS HYPOCRITES, CORRUPT OR LUKEWARM The calendar year 2014 could furnish exciting Christians should be on guard from becoming new opportunities for ecumenical work with the hypocrites, corrupt or lukewarm. This was Pope Orthodox world, but progress may be impeded by Francis’ warning during his homily today at Casa disagreements between the world’s most powerful Santa Marta. Drawing from today’s reading’s, the Orthodox groups, according to the president of the Holy Father presented four models of believers: Pontifical Council for Christian Unity. At the start of Jesus, the scribes, the priest Eli and his two sons, the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, who were also priests. “The people were astonished Cardinal Kurt Koch told Vatican Radio that a meeting at his teaching, for he taught them as one having between Pope Francis and the Ecumenical Patriarch authority and not as the scribes,” today’s Gospel Bartholomew of Constantinople could be the “most from Mark stated. The Holy Father said that this important opportunity” of the year. However he statement reflected the preaching style of the acknowledged that tensions between the Orthodox scribes who seldom practiced what they preached. churches—in particular, the resistance of the In his manner of preaching, Jesus showed Russian Orthodox Church to a common statement that if preached that way “you will close the door to on primacy—pose problems for the immediate the Kingdom of Heaven. You do not let them enter, future of ecumenical discussions. “I think there are and neither will you enter!’”Christ’s manner of more tensions between the Orthodox than between preaching “is a way, a style of preaching, of the Orthodox and Catholics,” Cardinal Koch said. A teaching, of giving witness to one’s own faith.” The key point of contention is an argument over an Pope then reflected on the first reading, from the Orthodox statement on primacy, which the First Book of Samuel, which recalled Eli’s encounter Patriarchate of Moscow refused to accept. The with Anna, who was praying in the Temple for a son. cardinal told Vatican Radio that representatives of Eli, the Holy Father said, “is a poor priest, weak, the patriarchates of Moscow and Constantinople are lukewarm who allowed his sons to do so many awful now discussing that issue, and their talks might things.”Upon seeing Anna pray as “humble people provide a “very good opportunity” for resolving the pray; simple but from the heart, with anguish”, Eli difficulties. But that is an “internal Orthodox admonishes her at first, thinking that she was drunk. dialogue,” and the Catholic Church cannot be directly Eli, the Pope observed, “is the representative involved, he said. of faith, the leader of faith, but his heart was not Cardinal Koch reported that the Joint well and he rejects that woman.””How many times International Commission for Theological Dialogue, the people of God do not feel loved by those who which includes Catholic and Orthodox scholars, will should give witness: by Christians, by lay Christians, meet sometime this year. He did not specify the time by priests, by bishops,” he continued. Despite his or place for the meeting. The Joint International lukewarm faith and laziness, the Holy Father said Commission, which held its last meeting in Vienna that Eli’s priestly anointing comes through and gives in 2010, had originally been scheduled to meet again Anna a word of hope.” However, things do not turn in 2012. But plans for the meeting were postponed out well for the old man later on in his life. Describing because of the disagreements among Orthodox Eli’s sons as “thieves”, the Pope explained that they participants over the statement on primacy. “went after power, after money, they exploited - Zenith. Org people, they took advantage of the alms, of the gifts, and the Lord punishes them strongly.” “They are the representation of the corrupt Christian, of the corrupt You don’t get to choose how you are going to laymen, of the corrupt priest, of the corrupt bishops, die or when...you can only decide how you who takes advantage of his situation, of his privilege are going to live. of faith, of being Christian and his heart ends up - Joan Baez becoming corrupt.” That heart, he explained, is the same heart of Judas, who due to his corrupt heart, 1234567

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123456724 News - Catholic World betrays Jesus.” As the final Christian model, the Holy based on a man’s heart and not his stature. “God Father said that Jesus brings with him the power of chooses David, the smallest, who was disregarded sanctity that comes with the word of God, the love by his father,” he said. “All of us through Baptism of God to each and every one of us.”Jesus forgives have been elected by the Lord. We are all elected. the adulteress, he speaks of theology with the He has chosen us one by one. He has given us a Samaritan. Jesus searches the heart of the person, name and looks at us. There is a dialogue, because Jesus approaches the wounded heart of people. that is how the Lord loves. Even David later becomes Jesus is only interested in the person.” king and made a mistake. He maybe made many, This manner of preaching, however, is not a but the Bible tells us of two big mistakes, two new teaching, the 77 year old Pontiff stressed. “No, mistakes that really fall heavy. What did David do? it is not a new teaching: it is a new way of doing it. He humiliated himself. He returned to his smallness It is the evangelical transparency.”Concluding his and said: ‘I am a sinner’. And he asked for forgiveness homily, the Holy Father prayed that the readings help and did penance.” us in our Christian lives, to not be legalists, corrupt David’s smallness is also reflected after or lukewarm, but rather to be like Jesus, with the committing his second mistake, when he recognizes zeal to search for, heal and love people. “This is the his sin and asks the Lord to punish him rather than new teaching that God asks from us. Let us ask for the people. “David guarded his smallness, with this grace,” he said. (J.A.E.) repentance, with prayer, with weeping,” the Pope – Zenith.org observed. This, he stressed, is the sign of true Christian faithfulness. “Christian faithfulness, our POPE FRANCIS: GOD ALWAYS CHOOSES THE LITTLE faithfulness, is to simply guard our smallness, so ONES that we can dialogue with the Lord. To guard our smallness,” the Pope said. In his homily at Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis “For this reason humility, meekness, and said that in order to dialogue with the greatness of gentleness are so important in the life of the the Lord, one must safeguard and embrace our Christian, because it is a container of smallness “smallness”. The Holy Father underlined the which the Lord likes to see. And there will always personal relationship that God shares with his be a dialogue between our smallness and the people. greatness of the Lord.” Concluding his homily, Pope The dialogue between God and his people, Francis invoked the intercession of David and the he said, is not a dialogue between an all-powerful Virgin Mary so that the Lord may “give us the grace being with one large group of people. Rather, it is to guard our smallness before Him.” (J.A.E.) an individual relationship he shares with his people, – Zenith.org one by one. This relationship is evidenced in the story of Creation.”The story of creation is an image CANONIZATION MEDALS TO BE ISSUED that makes us see this: it is the same Lord who with his hands, handcrafts man and gives his a name: Official Commemorative ‘Your name is Adam’”, he said. “And so begins that Medals in Bronze and Sil- relationship between God and the person. And there ver are to be issued on the is another thing, there is a relationship between God 3rd of March to mark the and us little ones: God, the great, and us little ones. Canonization of Popes John God, when he must choose a person, as well as his XXIII and John Paul II. On the people, always chooses the little ones.” obverse side of the medal In choosing Israel because it was the least will be the coats of arms of Pope Francis, while on powerful among the peoples of the world, Pope the reverse side there will be a profile of the two Francis continued, the Lord shows His preference Pope’s with the text IOANNES XXIII ET IOANNES PAV for the little ones. Reflecting on the first reading, LVS II SANCTI PROCLAMANTVR XXVII APR. MMXI. which recounted the anointing of David as king of The medals will be issued by the Vatican’s Philatelic Israel, the Holy Father focused on God choosing and Numismatic Office.

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1234567 123456725 1234567 On 27 April 2014 His Holiness Pope Francis will proclaim Saints his predecessors John XXIII and John 8) He cares about the victims of Typhoon Paul II. It will mark a special moment of joy and Haiyan prayer for the faithful around the world who will 9) He gave individual hugs to 100 wheelchair- gathering St. Peter’s Square, but also the start of a bound visitors journey to eternal glory celebrated by the Catholic 10) He’s got a sense of humor Church. Blessed John XXIII is commonly known as 11) He will embrace you no matter what you “Good Pope John”. The name recalls not only the look like physical features of his face, remembered affec- 12) He understands the “modern family” tionately by so many faithful, but also his nature as 13) He told Catholic leaders to stop being so a caring shepherd who never missed an opportu- swaggy nity to offer consolation with just a few simple words 14) He doesn’t want the Catholic Church to for those in need. His fundamental historical inspi- “interfere spiritually” in same-sex ration was to convoke the Second Vatican Council, relationships which he strongly desired and opened on 11 Octo- 15) He drives himself around in a 20-year-old ber 1962.The Council marked a turning point in the Church’s history. Pope John Renault 4 XXIII died on 3 June 1963, and it was during 16) He’s repeatedly spoken out against global the sad days of bidding him farewell that it became capitalism clear how widely he was loved and how crucial his 17) Speaking of idols, he’s not looking to be Magisterium was. Pope John Paul II guided the one himself. Church into the new millennium. He is considered 18) He’ll wash your feet even if you’re a one of the most significant and influential popes in prisoner, or, gasp, a woman modern history, not only by the Church, but the en- 19) He’s got a twitter account tire world. Here are just a few of the more promi- 20) He’ll randomly call you nent aspects which sum up his extraordinary pon- 21) He’s reaching out to other faiths tificate: apostolic journeys around the world; commitment to ecumenical dialogue; constant defense of moral values, life and the family; his close rap- port with people and especially the youth, the pro- Points to ponder mulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church; * Do I accept the little inconveniences the spirit with which he faced illness, especially dur- of life or resent them? ing his final days. * Am i a control-freak? – Vatican Radio * Do I forgive those who have done 21 reasons Pope Francis is everyone’s me wrong? Person of the Year (The New Leader, Jan 16-31, 2014) 1) He won the Internet 2) He put into writing his tough talk about global capitalism “I learned that courage was not hte absence of fear, 3) He reportedly sneaks out of the Vatican to but the triumph over it...The brave man is not he who hang out with homeless Romans does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” 4) He was a bouncer at a bar - Nelson Mandela 5) He’s a sports fan 6) He’s committed to ending corruption and isn’t afraid of the mafia A problem is a chance for you to do your best. - Duke Ellington 7) Sarah Palin thinks he’s a “liberal”

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1234567 SPONSOR’S COLUMN Father’s Name: Mr. Emmanuel Kisume support and assistance. In the mid sixties when Nagaland was still not advanced in Mother’s Name: Mrs. Yanchila Veronica education, they came and taught us. In the th boarding, they cared for us, more than our Date of Marriage: 6 December, 2001 parents. They helped us to be smart. They Family Day: 15th July did everything without any discrimination. Sharing: Any good and bad experience in your life? Sharing: Tell us something about your profession? Sponsor: God has been always good to us. He has blessed me, my wife and children Sponsor: I am a government servant with good health. Little crosses in our life, I working in the Tax office as ministerial Staff. consider as, as reminders of God’s Sharing: Could you share with the readers goodness. something about your family? Sharing: What Your Message for the readers Sponsor: Me and my wife, ours is a love of Sharing? marriage. We are blessed with four children. Sponsor: We should put our faith in God and We are not rich, but can manage with our rely on Him all the time. We should be regular income. We are very blessed and live in our spiritual practices. Family prayer, happily. We share with others from the little Participation in the Church services and we have. We try to create a happy spiritual retreats are essential for our atmosphere in the family by mutual sharing spiritual growth and for the experience of and love. We are also fortunate to live in peace and love in the family and in the the midst of God fearing neighbours. We community. Such exemplary life can be like pray together as family and that keeps us fragrant flowers spreading life and hope in going. We pray to God to keep us always others. humble and united in love and not to be taken over by pride. Sharing: Write something about your prayer Life Sharing: What is your dream for the Society? Sponsor: It is my prayer that strengthens me and gives me courage to face all adversaries Sponsor: In the midst of intellectual war, in my life. I always get an answer to my economical development and moral problem when I turn to God in prayers. degradation, I dream of a society which is united as one humanity, respecting life and Sharing: What is your contribution to the honouring dignity of it. Such a society is growth of the Church? possible only when it is rooted in the Sponsor: I am only a tiny drop of water in teachings of Christ and lived by that the ocean. My little acts may not be counted teaching. but I will be faithful to the Church, help the Sharing: Could you share about some Church in my little ways with love in all that I persons to whom you are grateful to? do. Sponsors: I owe my respect and appreciation to all the fathers and sisters who work day in and day out for the betterment of those who approach them. If I am holding a job, it is because of their

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