This month we pray for our civil and Resisting Corruption religious leaders that they will be faithful That those who have material, political or spiritual power may resist any lure of corruption. servants and not give in to the tempta- tions of power, popularity or possessions.

Eritrea is located on the east Today, Eritrea faces many

coast of the Horn of Africa challenges. It continues to be in God’s Word for Mission

along the Red Sea. It shares a conflict with neighboring coun- “How hard it is for those who border with Sudan to the north tries and internally faces various have wealth to enter the

and Ethiopia and Djibouti to the power struggles among the kingdom of God” (Lk. 18:24).

south. It’s location has made it many leaders. This keeps the

an important port for sea travel country from making progress. “You know that the rulers of the

2018 Eritrea

and trade. Also, religion is sometimes used

- Gentiles lord it over them, and Christianity in Eritrea can as a political tool to sway and the great ones make their

EBRUARY trace it’s beginning to 4th divide people, causing conflict authority over them felt. But it 2017 F century traders from Syria and and disunity. shall not be so among you. Egypt who traveled along the

of Faith of Rather, whoever wishes to be Red Sea. Eventually, Islam great among you shall be your made its way into Eritrea. servant; whoever wishes to be Over the centuries, it was first among you shall be your colonized by various empires slave. Just so, the Son of Man and was part of Ethiopia until it Knowledge Promoting did not come to be served but to gained independence in 1993. serve and to give his life as a Since then, it has struggled to ransom for many” (Mt. 20:25-28). achieve internal unity. A Saint for Mission: St. Frumentius

Frumentius was born in the city of Tyre, Lebanon, in the fourth century and was raised as a Christian. While still a boy, he and his brother travelled with their uncle to Abyssinia (Ethiopia and Eritrea), but became shipwrecked in East Africa while voyaging on the Red Sea. They were enslaved to serve the king’s court in Axum, Abyssinia. When the king died, the two brothers remained a part of the queen’s court and served as a tutor to the king’s son. The queen permitted them to introduce Christianity to the country, as well as encouraging trade between Abyssinia and the West.

Frumentius travelled to Alexandria, Egypt to meet with St. Athanasius and convinced him to send missionaries to evangelize the Abyssinian Kingdom. Athanasius agreed and made Frumentius Bishop of Abyssinia. When he returned, he spent his life evangelizing by living the Gospel and bringing new members into the Church. There are also stories of miracles of healing performed by Frumentius. Eventually, the king of Axum and many of his subjects were baptized. The people began to call him “Abuna” which means “father”. Despite attempts to urge the king of Education for Axum to remove Frumentius, he remained and served the people until he died in 383 AD. Community Life He is considered the Patron Saint of the Aksumite Empire: Eritrea and parts of Ethiopia. His feast day is October 27th. Liturgical Catholic Social Moral Formation Education Teachings

Filimon as Filimon Rome a in refugee http://totalitarianimages.blogspot.com. http://totalitarianimages.blogspot.com. Option for the for Option Poor vulnerable in our world. in vulnerable sharegiftswetheandas lifedaily our poor our to serve prayofmay Jesus’sinthatwe follow service example Letus flourish time. and inour prayfind ofthatthe Eritreamay lasting people Letus peace goodof their people. common pray thatour Letand us religious maycivil leaders serve the anytemptationresist corruption. formay power spiritual whoprayand material,politicalthat those have Let us Petitions Mission and Vulnerable Streets of Eritrea Streets of El Companero El

forcedorthe labor, slavetrade, being arewhovulnerableare subjecttomost poorbewidening. seemsto thebetweenseparationandthe wealthy theasinespecially world important today andatheThisis priority. poor vulnerable importantto andmake ofwelfareneedsthe fearandintimidation. aandlifearefree fromnew safe begin can andaonesfind countrysurvive where they ingelse.asomeplace betterlife The lucky trytoofcountries hopeflee find-the in their Because will. ofevilthese many conditions, againstdriventheirserve military the to in 4. 3. 2. 1. Europe Life in New for Eritrea Fled Refugee Teenage story: Filimon’s about video the Watch

In In manyandcountries,teens children The is Church Catholic it teaches that teens are in vulnerable situations because of poverty? of situations because vulnerable areteens in and children where country, our even or world, the in examples other of you think Can Eritrea? like countries in for people conditions unjust to lead poverty extreme can How living? are refugees other and Fillmon where shelter the are ignoring police Italian the you think Why do Filimon? like teenager a are you when country one’s flee to decision go with the that risks some the of Name

Daily Offering Amen peace. We make this prayer inname, Jesus pray that you will make an instrumentus yourof has loved us. We offer you our gifts this day and love and service. weMay love one another as he sentYou your son, toJesus, show us way your of Dear Lord,

future. going hope ahim and giveshim brighter for isFilimon’s again.It faithGod inthat keeps knowing family thatsee hemaythem never other Rome. countries, inlike Filimon littlechoice to fleerefugees but becoming in defythings findthat rights. Many theirhuman andchoicesfeware compelledto do many refugees. and findingones other food shelter with dangerousandofjourneyone is fortunatethe asaarrived aafterRome in difficult, migrant possibly the inindefinitely, He military. Eritrea becauseserve, he forced to was By leaving his country, Filimon alsohis Filimon leaving left By country, his Becausepeople have veryispoor, Eritrea fled awho Filimonteenager Mengs is