#BreakingNews Tabernacle containing Eucharist was Stolen from Holy Spirit Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas

 Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Horizon, Texas  has had one of its most sacred objects stolen -- the tabernacle, which holds the body and blood of Christ.

The metal container is regarded as one of the most sacred objects in any Catholic Church and is used to house the Eucharist.

The parish priest immediately called police for help after the break-in and theft, but now a call has gone out through the whole Diocese as they ask Catholics to pray.
Here is his message from the parish Website:
My dear brothers and sisters,
It is with a very saddened heart that I write these words to you.
     Sunday night into Monday morning we had some intruders in the church that caused damages and stole items including the tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament. The damages to the building were minor and the stolen items amount to a few thousand dollars.  However, the desecration of the greatest gift possessed by the Church, the Most Blessed Sacrament, is a very serious matter.

     The Horizon Police department has been very supportive since the initial response and in the investigation.  I ask that if you know any information that leads to the arrest of the perpetrators to please call Horizon PD.  

     Furthermore, due to the desecration of the Blessed Sacrament I join our Bishop Mark Seitz in inviting you to make reparation for this violation by visiting the Blessed Sacrament and participating in any act of reparation. 

     The indifference of the world towards God in the holiness Most Blessed Sacrament needs to be overcome with the devotion, love and the holiness of His children. Let us remain united and strong in the Lord and manifest that we are his faithful followers regardless of the violations that some express.  Let us also pray that those that perpetrated these repulsive acts may repent and change their ways. 

     May our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe, who witnessed the acts of hatred and indifference towards her beloved Son, bring us consolation and guide us closer to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit protect us always. 

Your brother in Christ, 

Fr. Jose Morales

Jesus, Son of God and our Savior, 

have mercy on all who wound your Sacred Heart by sin,

unfaithfulness and neglect. 

O loving Heart of Jesus, broken by our ingratitude, pierced by our sins,

yet loving us still, 

accept in reparation the suffering I now make to you

of all that I am and all that I have. 

Draw me ever nearer to your Sacred Heart: 

there where I can learn best, teach me, Jesus, your blessed way to eternal life.

Amen
************************
It’s difficult for us to grasp who or why they could have done this,” said Father Jose MoralesThe church was broken into during the last week of October, and now Father Morales is putting out a statement to ask people for their help and prayers. The loss and desecration came as a powerful blow to long-devoted parishioners.

“When we heard the news about it we felt bad, we couldn’t believe that it had happened here of course in the neighborhood and of course in a Catholic Church,” said Roberto Ceballos, who has been a church parishioner for 20 years.

The theft was not just a blow to their spirituality or sense of community, now their sense of safety is also being threatened.

“I don’t feel secure now... It's just a half-block away from my house,” Ceballos said.

For Father Morales, this theft was the same as someone breaking into his home. But on top of the theft, he said it’s the violation of the most sacred part of a church itself -- the physical presence of God. Now, he just wants to see the tabernacle and its sacrament back home.

“I don’t see the reason for something like this being done. We know God is merciful and if they would return what they took and repent it would be greatly appreciated, not just by us, but God will take that into account,” Father Morales said.
 Edited from KVIA - ABC - Image Source: Facebook Page of Holy Spirit Catholic Church

US Bishops meet at General Assembly in Baltimore discussing Abuse Reporting System and Cultural Issues until Nov. 13 - #USCCB

U.S. Bishops to Meet Nov. 11-13 in Baltimore; Will Elect New USCCB President, Vice President, Committee Chairs, and Vote on Seven Action Items; Assembly to Be Live Streamed, Live Tweeted, Carried Via Satellite

October 22, 2019

WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will gather for the 2019 Fall General Assembly in Baltimore, November 11-13. During the assembly, the bishops will elect a new president, vice president, and six committee chairs. They will also discuss and vote on seven action items.

The assembly will begin with an address by the Papal Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre. The bishops will also hear from Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston as he gives his final address as USCCB president upon completion of his three-year term.

During the assembly, the U.S. bishops will hear a report from the National Advisory Council, a group created by the USCCB comprised of religious and lay people primarily for consultation on Action Items and Information Reports before the Administrative Committee.  

The bishops will vote on the Program of Priestly Formation (6th edition) for use in the dioceses of the United States. They will also vote to approve a short letter and five short video scripts to supplement Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, their teaching document for the faithful on the political responsibility of Catholics.

The Latin Church members of the USCCB will vote to approve two translations by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL): (1) a translation of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults as the base text for a future edition of this rite in the dioceses of the United States, and (2) a translation of the Hymns of the Liturgy of the Hours for use in the dioceses of the United States.

The Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs of the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church will request the authorization of the full body of bishops to lead the process of developing a new formal statement and comprehensive vision for Hispanic/Latino ministry in response to the V Encuentro process, to be developed and approved by the bishops during the next USCCB strategic planning cycle, 2021-2024.

The bishops will also vote on the Revised Strategic Priorities for the 2021-2024 Strategic Plan for the USCCB, as well as the proposed budgets for 2020. The full body of bishops will vote to elect the new Board of Directors of Catholic Relief Services. The members are also expected to hear an update on progress toward establishing a nationwide, third-party reporting system for abuse or misconduct by bishops. This new national reporting system would not replace systems already in place in every diocese for the reporting of abuse by priests.

In addition to the election of a new president and vice president for the USCCB, the bishops will vote for new chairmen of six committees: Canonical Affairs and Church Governance; Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs; Evangelization and Catechesis; International Justice and Peace; Protection of Children and Young People; and Religious Liberty.

The bishop elected for chairman of the Committee for Religious Liberty fills the vacancy created earlier this year after the chairman stepped down for health reasons. At the conclusion of this year’s assembly, the bishop elected to the Committee for Religious Liberty will assume the role of chairman, and the bishops elected for the remaining five committees will serve for one year as chairmen-elect before beginning a three-year term at the conclusion of the 2020 Fall General Assembly.

Public sessions of general assembly discussions and votes will be available via livestream at: http://www.usccb.org/live.  

News updates, vote totals, texts of addresses and presentations and other materials will be posted to this page: www.usccb.org/meetings as soon as possible.

Those wishing to follow the meeting on social media can use the hashtag #USCCB19 and follow on Twitter (@USCCB) as well as on Facebook (www.facebook.com/usccb) and Instagram (https://instagram.com/usccb).

Live stream and satellite feed will run Monday, November 11, Tuesday, November 12, and Wednesday, November 13, while the assembly is in session. Broadcast media outlets interested in taking the meeting's satellite feed should contact the public affairs office to request coordinates; the livestream will be available at: http://www.usccb.org/about/leadership/usccb-general-assembly/usccb-general-assembly-live-stream.cfm.
FULL TEXT Release: USCCB

Chaldean Patriarch calls for Prayer and Fasting for Peace as Death Toll reaches 320 people Killed in Iraq

Iraqi Church calls for fast and prayer for peace. Bishop Warduni praises young people united in the streets
The Chaldean patriarchate urges a prayer for peace. For Card Sako, Iraq’s problem is not only political, but cultural and spiritual as well. The death toll stands at 320 dead and 16,000 wounded. Baghdad’s Auxiliary Bishop warns that too little is done for the future of youth and the poor. Young Iraqis have overcome ethnic and confessional divisions.


Baghdad (AsiaNews) – Iraq and most Arab countries face a “cultural and spiritual" problem, not a "purely political” one. Thieves, crooks, extremists and tyrants rule “because there is not a strong and solid religious, spiritual and moral drive,” this according to Chaldean patriarch, Card Louis Raphael Sako, in a message to AsiaNews.

For the cardinal, the question is tied to education" in the family and community "which are full of outdated preconceptions, customs and practices" that "are not based on reason and analysis”.

Speaking once more about the anti-government protests that broke out last month, which took off again in the last two weeks after a lull, the Chaldean primate expressed his deep concerns about police brutality, which has already left at least 319 people dead, mostly civilians.

Amid a crescendo of violence and tensions, Mgr Sako urges Iraqi Christians to fast for three days, starting this morning until the evening of Wednesday 13 November "for peace and the return of stability".

Along with fasting, the cardinal wants the faithful to recite the prayer he read on 4 November in Baghdad’s St Joseph’s Cathedral during an ecumenical meeting for peace promoted by Iraqi Church leaders.

For the cardinal, "What we need is a careful understanding of Iraq after the 2003 US invasion. The protest of the past few weeks are a spontaneous reaction" to the sufferings of the past years. They are taking place “under the Iraqi flag” rather than “the banners of various parties or factions” with protesters “overcoming sectarianism” to unite as one, sharing the same “national identity”.

He warns the government though that it must “win the trust" of young people, and engage in “courageous dialogue” and “economic reforms” that can redistribute wealth.” It must also appeal to intellectuals who fled the country to return "to contribute to the reforms.”

The patriarch's fears are shared by the Auxiliary Bishop of Baghdad, Mgr Shlemon Warduni. In his view, too many people “pursue their own personal interests” and “don’t care about the common good, especially the situation of the young and the poor.”

“Young Iraqis are the main drive behind the protest. They have finished school, but have no jobs and don’t know what to do,” he told AsiaNews.

"There is a lot of chaos and confusion in the streets. Protests show the world that we are in a disastrous condition and that we do not know what to do since people do not look out for the common good. They don't care about everyone's interest.”

The prelate is worried about the escalation of violence, “which has caused over 300 deaths and 16,000 wounded. We cannot just stand by. As a Church, our response is fasting and prayer.”

For him, it is important to see “young Iraqis protesting in the streets behind the shared Iraqi flag. They don't look at religion, ethnicity, but only want the good of the country, even if they worry about attacks against and abductions of civilians by armed gangs.”

Internationally, as tensions continue to rise, Western powers and foreign organisations are closely monitoring the situation. To end the crisis, the United States is calling for fresh elections and reforms, whilst various human rights groups warn that the country could descend into a “bloodbath”.

Warning that a "climate of fear has set in", the United Nations mission in Iraq (UNAMI) has called on security forces to show "maximum restraint in the handling of the protests, including no use of live ammunition, ban the improper use of non-lethal devices (such as tear gas canisters)".

UNAMI has also demanded the release of protesters arrested in recent weeks and an inquiry into the abduction of activists and doctors, who rights groups have been taken by the security forces or armed groups.

The UN body hopes to see a series of measures implemented in the coming weeks or months, including electoral and constitutional reform, prosecution of people charged with corruption and enacting laws to prevent graft.
FULL TEXT Source: AsiaNewsIT - Image Source: Google Images

Today's Mass Readings and Video : Tuesday, November 12, 2019 - #Eucharist

Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr
Lectionary: 492

Reading 1WIS 2:23–3:9

God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made them.
But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world,
and they who are in his possession experience it.

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.

Responsorial PsalmPS 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19

R.(2a) I will bless the Lord at all times.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.

AlleluiaJN 14:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelLK 17:7-10

Jesus said to the Apostles:
"Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
'Come here immediately and take your place at table'?
Would he not rather say to him,
'Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished'?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say,
'We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.'"

Saint November 12 : St. Josaphat an Archbishop and Martyr the Patron of Ukraine

ARCHBISHOP AND MARTYR

Born:

1580 at Volodymyr, Lithuania (modern Ukraine)

Died:

12 November 1623 at Vitebsk, Belarus

Canonized:

1876

Patron of:

Ukraine
Martyr, born in the little town of Volodymyr in Lithuania (Volyn) in 1580 or — according to some writers — 1584; died at Vitebsk, Russia, 12 November, 1623.
The saint's birth occurred in a gloomy period for the Ruthenian Church. Even as early as the beginning of the sixteenth century the Florentine Union had become a dead-letter; in the case of the Ruthenian Church, complete demoralization followed in the wake of its severance from Rome, and the whole body of its clergy became notorious alike for their gross ignorance and the viciousness of their lives. After the Union of Berest’ in 1596 the Ruthenian Church was divided into two contending parties — the Uniates and those who persevered in schism — each with its own hierarchy. Among the leaders of the schismatic party, who laboured to enkindle popular hatred against the Uniates, Meletius Smotryckyj was conspicuous, and the most celebrated of his victims was Josaphat.
Although of a noble Ruthenian stock, Josaphat's father had devoted himself to commercial pursuits, and held the office of town-councilor. Both parents contributed to implant the seeds of piety in the heart of their child. In the school at Volodymyr Josaphat — Johannes was the saint's baptismal name — gave evidence of unusual talent; he applied himself with the greatest zeal to the study of ecclesiastical Slav, and learned almost the entire casoslov (breviary), which from this period he began to read daily. From this source he drew his early religious education, for the unlettered clergy seldom preached or gave catechetical instruction. Owing to the straitened circumstances of his parents, he was apprenticed to the merchant Popovyc at Vilna. In this town, remarkable for the corruption of its morals and the contentions of the various religious sects, he seemed specially guarded by Providence, and became acquainted with certain excellent men (e.g. Benjamin Rutski), under whose direction he advanced in learning and in virtue.
 At the age of twenty-four (1604) he entered the Basilian monastery of the Trinity at Vilna. The fame of his virtues rapidly spread, and distinguished people began to visit him. After a notable life as a layman, Rutski also joined the order, bringing with him a wide erudition. When Josaphat reached the diaconate, regular services and labour for the salvation of souls had been already begun; the number of novices steadily increased, and under Rutski — who had meanwhile been ordained priest — there began the regeneration of religious life among the Ruthenians. In 1609, after private study under the Jesuit Fabricius, Josaphat was ordained priest. He subsequently became superior in several monasteries, and on 12 November, 1617, was reluctantly consecrated Bishop of Vitebsk, with right of succession to the Archbishopric of Polotsk. He became archbishop in 1618.
While each succeeding year saw fresh evidence of his fruitful labours, it also witnessed the steady growth of the hatred of the schismatic party. Finally on 12 November, 1623, an axe-stroke and a bullet brought Josaphat his martyr's crown. After numerous miracles had occurred, a commission was appointed by Urban VIII in 1628 to inquire into the cause of Josaphat, and examined on oath 116 witnesses. Although five years had elapsed since Josaphat's death, his body was still incorrupt. In 1637 a second commission investigated the life of the martyr, and in 1643 — twenty years after his death — Josaphat was beatified. His canonization took place in 1867.
Great were the virtues of the saint. As a boy he shunned the usual games of childhood, prayed much, and lost no opportunity of assisting at the Divine services. Children especially regarded him with the greatest affection, and found in him a worthy model. As an apprentice, he devoted every leisure hour to prayer and study. At first Popovyc viewed this behaviour with displeasure, but Josaphat gradually won such a position in his esteem, that Popovyc offered him his entire fortune and his daughter's hand. But Josaphat's love for the religious life never wavered. At first without a human guide along the paths of virtue, he received all spiritual direction immediately from the Holy Ghost.
His favourite pious exercise was to make a poklony (i.e. a reverence, in which the head touches the ground) with the ejaculation: "Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a poor sinner." Never eating meat, he fasted much, wore a hair-shirt and an angular chain, slept on the bare floor, and chastised his body until the blood flowed. The Jesuits frequently urged him to set some bounds to his austerities.
From his zealous study of the liturgical books he drew many proofs of Catholic truth, using his knowledge in the composition of several works — "On the Baptism of St. Volodymyr"; "On the Falsification of the Slavic Books by the Enemies of the Metropolitan"; "On Monks and their Vows". As deacon, priest, and bishop, he was distinguished by his extraordinary zeal in the service of souls. Not alone in the church did he preach and hear confessions, but likewise in the fields, hospitals, prisons, and even on his journeys. Even where his words of instruction might by themselves have failed, his entreaties and tears ensured him success. This zeal, united with his kindness and extraordinary love for the poor, won numbers to the Catholic Faith. Among his converts were included many important personages such as Ignatius, Patriarch of Moscow, and Emmanuel Cantacuzenus, who belonged to the family of the Greek Emperor Palæologus.
As archbishop he restored the churches; issued a catechism to the clergy with instructions that it should be learned by heart; composed rules for the priestly life, entrusting to the deacons the task of superintending their observance; assembled synods in various towns in the dioceses, and firmly opposed the Imperial Chancellor Sapieha, when he wished to make many concessions in favour of the schismatics. Throughout all his strivings and all his occupations, he continued his exemplary life as a religious, and never abated his zeal for self-mortification and prayer. He awaited death with a certain yearning, refusing to avail himself of the opportunity of flight afforded him. After his death his influence was still greater: conversions were numerous, and veneration for him continued to extend. His feast is kept on the first Sunday after 12 November, according to the Julian Calendar. Note: His feast is currently kept on November 12 on the Universal Calendar.
The Catholic Encyclopedia

#BreakingNews IS responsible for Deaths 2 Armenian Catholic Priests Killed in Syria - RIP Fr. Hovsep Petoyan and Fr. Abraham Petoyan

ALEPPO, NOVEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Terrorists have gunned down two Armenian priests in Qamishli, a city in northeastern Syria, Gandzasar reports.

Pastor of the Armenian Catholic Community of Qamishli Priest Hovsep Petoyan and his father Priest Abraham Petoyan were traveling in a vehicle en route to Deir ez-Zor when terrorists opened gunfire on their car and killed them.

According to Gandzasar the Armenian Catholic priests were heading to inspect the condition of the Catholic Church.

The Pastor’s father died instantly in the attack.

Priest Hovsep Petoyan succumbed to his wounds minutes after the gunfire attack.

Deacon Fati Sano of the Al-Hasakeh church, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was wounded.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
UPDATE:

The “Islamic State” terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for killing two Armenian priests in Qamishli, a city in northeastern Syria,
Full Text from ARMENPRESS reports Rudaw TV informed.

#BreakingNews Assumption of Mary Church desecrated and set on Fire and many Churches Attacked in Chile - Please Pray

AMERICA/CHILE - Looted and desecrated places of worship, the Bishops ask to apply the law and rebuild the social fabric

Santiago (Agenzia Fides) - Solidarity with the Apostolic Administrator Mgr. Celestino Aós and all the faithful of the Archdiocese of Santiago after the looting and desecration of the parish of the Assumption of Mary, was expressed by the Standing Committee of the Bishops' Conference of Chile through a statement, dated November 9th, extending solidarity to communities and pastors "of other churches and places of prayer of different cults that were attacked in many cities". Hooded protesters broke into the Church of the Assumption of Mary, which is near the gathering place of the protesters against the Chilean government and social inequality. Benches, statues and sacred images were set on fire, making barricades against the police. The political and social crisis which broke out a few weeks ago in Chile, is an expression of the accumulation of hardship and unequal treatment of the population, and is now being accompanied by violent and uncontrolled demonstrations. Even the Cathedral of Valparaiso was targeted by a group of protesters who had tried to set fire to the large wooden doors and, after entering, destroyed the benches and several sacred images (see Fides, 21,26,28/10/2019).
The text, signed by the President of the Bishops' Conference, Mgr. Santiago Silva, by the Vice President, Mgr. René Rebolledo; by the Secretary General, Mgr. Fernando Ramos, and the Committee member, Mgr. Juan Ignacio González, stresses: "We are hurt by the mistreatment of people, constant looting and violence, wherever it comes from; it hurts when our churches and places of prayer are attacked without respect for God and for those who believe in Him. Churches and other places of worship are sacred".
Invoking, through prayer, God's forgiveness for these attacks, the Bishops add: "together with many Chileans we are radically opposed to injustice and violence, we condemn them in all their forms and we expect the courts to identify those responsible and punish them. The violent prevent us from looking with due attention to the claims of the majority of the Chilean people who want real and peaceful solutions".
In order to restore civil and peaceful coexistence, the Bishops ask the authorities "to apply the law and exercise it using all the resources of a democratic state. People are not only tired of injustice, but also of violence and the vast majority eagerly awaits dialogue to rebuild the social fabric". The statement closes invoking the Virgin of Carmen,"to give us a united Chile, forged by the efforts of all men and women of good will". (SL) (Full Text source: Agenzia Fides, 11/11/2019)

Saintly Catholic Army Chaplain Fr Emil Kapaun was Awarded Medal of Honor and served as POW - Share his True Story!

Emil Joseph Kapaun was a Catholic priest and U.S. Army Chaplain born in the small Czech farming community of Pilsen, Kansas, on Holy Thursday, April 20, 1916. Growing up he was much like any other hardworking farm boy, but he was especially mindful of God and others.  At first feeling the call to become a missionary priest, under the direction of his local parish priest he decided to enter the seminary for the Diocese of Wichita and was ordained a priest on June 9, 1940. After a few years of service in the Diocese, he answered the call for chaplains during World War II and entered the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps in 1944. After traversing thousands of miles to serve the troops in Burma and India, he returned home from the service in 1946.  After two years he re-entered the Army in 1948 and was sent to Japan the following year.

In July of 1950 Chaplain Kapaun was among the first troops to be sent to help protect South Korea, which a few weeks earlier had been invaded by the North.  It was in Korea that he gained a reputation for his bravery in ministering to the soldiers in the foxholes and in the thick of battle. As Chaplain Kapaun's unit, the 8th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division, pushed it's way up towards the northern border of North Korea, it was ambushed by the large Chinese Army that was just entering the war.  Here, at the Battle of Unsan, on November 2, Kapaun once again traversed all over the ragged battlefield to rescue men or give them Last Rites.  He showed his dedication to his "boys" as he chose to remain with a number of wounded men rather than escape.  Captured by the enemy, they were forced to march over 60 miles to the prison camp in the bitter cold.  Along the way, Father Kapaun carried his wounded comrades and encouraged them to do likewise. In the seven months in prison, Father Kapaun spent himself in heroic service to his fellow prisoners without regard for race, color or creed, giving them help and hope when they needed it most.

To this there is testimony of men of all faiths. Ignoring his own ill health, he nursed the sick and wounded, stole food for the hungry, picked lice off of men, washed dirty and soiled clothing, and encouraged men with words and prayers to keep fighting because they would eventually make it out of the camp.  Finally a blood clot in his leg and pneumonia prevented his daily rounds. Moved to a so-called hospital, but denied medical assistance, his death soon followed on May 23, 1951.  Two years later several hundred Prisoners of War were released, including some that carried with them a beautiful crucifix that was carved by a Jewish POW who was inspired by tales of Father Kapaun's deeds.  These Prisoners testified to Father Kapaun's role in their survival and began to tell the world about their heroic chaplain.

On April 11, 2013, Chaplain Kapaun was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama.  Only one of 5 chaplains to receive the nation's highest award, he is also the most decorated chaplain in U.S. history.  The Church continues to seek honors for Father Kapaun, as the Diocese of Wichita and the Vatican have begun the formal process that could lead to Father Kapaun's Canonization as a saint. In 1993, it was announced that Father Kapaun would receive the title of "Servant of God".  In late 2015, the "Positio" on his life and virtues was presented to the Congregation for Saints at the Vatican, which began to review it in 2016.  If the Congregation and the Holy Father declare that Kapaun lived with certainty a life of Heroic Virtue, he will be given the title "Venerable", and the door will be opened to review the potential miracle attributed to his intercession needed for his Beatification.  After this takes place, another miracle will be required for his Canonization.

We hope that you are as inspired by Father Kapaun's life and example as we are, and that you join us in praying for his Beatification and Canonization.  

Text Source: http://fatherkapaun.org - Images source Google Images

Pope Francis says "Rising levels of poverty on a global scale bear witness to the prevalence of inequality..." to Council - Full Text

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL FOR INCLUSIVE CAPITALISM

Monday, 11 November 2019

Your Eminence,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I extend a cordial welcome to each of you gathered for this meeting of the members of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism. I thank Cardinal Peter Turkson for his kind words offered in your name.
During my meeting three years ago with participants in the Fortune-Time Global Forum 2016, I addressed the need for more inclusive and equitable economic models that would permit each person to share in the resources of this world and have opportunities to realize his or her potential. The 2016 Forum allowed for an exchange of ideas and information aimed at creating a more humane economy and contributing to the eradication of poverty on the global level.
Your Council is one of the results of the 2016 Forum. You have taken up the challenge of realizing the vision of the Forum by seeking ways to make capitalism become a more inclusive instrument for integral human wellbeing. This entails overcoming an economy of exclusion and reducing the gap separating the majority of people from the prosperity enjoyed by the few (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 53-55). Rising levels of poverty on a global scale bear witness to the prevalence of inequality rather than a harmonious integration of persons and nations. An economic system that is fair, trustworthy and capable of addressing the most profound challenges facing humanity and our planet is urgently needed. I encourage you to persevere along the path of generous solidarity and to work for the return of economics and finance to an ethical approach which favours human beings (cf. ibid., 58).
A glance at recent history, in particular the financial crisis of 2008, shows us that a healthy economic system cannot be based on short-term profit at the expense of long-term productive, sustainable and socially responsible development and investment.
It is true that “business is a noble vocation, directed to producing wealth and improving our world. It can be a fruitful source of prosperity for the areas in which it operates, especially if it sees the creation of jobs as an essential part of its service to the common good” (Laudato Si’, 129). However, as my predecessor Saint Paul VI reminded us, authentic development cannot be restricted to economic growth alone but must foster the growth of each person and of the whole person (cf. Populorum Progressio, 14). This means more than balancing budgets, improving infrastructures or offering a wider variety of consumer goods. Rather, it involves a renewal, purification and strengthening of solid economic models based on our own personal conversion and generosity to those in need. An economic system detached from ethical concerns does not bring about a more just social order, but leads instead to a “throw away” culture of consumption and waste. On the other hand, when we recognize the moral dimension of economic life, which is one of the many aspects of social doctrine of the Church that must be integrally respected, we are able to act with fraternal charity, desiring, seeking and protecting the good of others and their integral development.
Dear friends, you have set before yourselves the goal of extending the opportunities and benefits of our economic system to all people. Your efforts remind us that those who engage in business and economic life are in fact possessed, as bears repeating, of a noble vocation, one that serves the common good by striving to increase the goods of this world and make them more accessible to all (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 203). In the end, it is not simply a matter of “having more”, but “being more”. What is needed is a fundamental renewal of hearts and minds so that the human person may always be placed at the centre of social, cultural and economic life.
Your presence here is thus a sign of hope, because you have recognized the issues our world is facing and the imperative to act decisively in order to build a better world. I express to you my heartfelt gratitude for your commitment to the promotion of a more just and humane economy, in line with the core principles of the social doctrine of the Church, always taking into account the whole person, both in the present generation and in the ones to come. An inclusive capitalism that leaves no one behind, that discards none of our brothers or sisters, is a noble aspiration, worthy of your best efforts.
I thank you for this meeting and I accompany you with my prayers. Upon all of you, your families and your colleagues, I invoke God’s blessings of wisdom, strength and peace. And I ask you, please, to pray for me. Thank you.

Full Text Source: Vatican.va - Image Source: AP

#BreakingNews Cyclone Babul Kills 20 People and Displaces 2 Million in Bangladesh and India

Cyclone Bulbul hits Bangladesh and India, killing more than 20 people and displacing two million
The storm moved at 125 km per hour, later dropping to 80-90 kilometres. In Barisal, 158 millimetres of rain fell in six hours, flooding the bishop's residence. The port in Chittagong has reopened. Caritas is considering providing aid.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Cyclone Bulbul hit coastal Bangladesh (Khulna and Chittagong) and India (West Bengal) over the week-end, killing more than 20 dead, 14 in Bangladesh alone. Some 5,000 homes were destroyed and two million people forced to spend the night in tents.

The storm reached 125 km per hour, sweeping away everything on its path. Trees were uprooted and streets and buildings were flooded. In Bangladesh some people died from collapsed roofs, uprooted trees and power outages.

Yesterday, Bangladesh State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman said that as wind speed dropped to 80km-90km per hour there was less damage.

The port in Chittagong reopened after operations were suspended because of weather conditions.

According to the minister, damage in the Sunbarbans, a mangrove area in the delta formed by the confluence of Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal, would have been much worse if the authorities had not taken precautions ahead of the storm.

Government officials and NGO volunteers moved people into areas equipped with tents.

One of the most affected areas is the Diocese of Barisal, which yesterday received 158 millimetres of rain in six hours. The bishop's residence was flooded.

Caritas Bangladesh is evaluating the situation and will decide whether to start distributing first aid equipment.

Full Text Source: AsiaNews IT - Image Source: Google Images - Flipboard

What is Veterans' or Remembrance Day - 5 things to SHARE - Wear a #Poppy and Prayers to Say!

1. On November 11, many people wear a red poppy in memory of the war veterans and victims. It was at 11 o'clock on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 that the Armistice was signed signaling the end of World War I. 
2. At that point the guns stopped after 4 years of war. 
3.Remembrance Day was instituted by King George the V in 1919 and is celebrated in Commonwealth countries. In the USA it is celebrated as Veteran's Day. 
4.The red from the Poppy flower, which grew over several battlefields, sybolized the blood shed by the troops. 

5. The Poppy comes from the famous poem of remembrance: (IMAGE SOURCE : THE GUARDIAN/GOOGLE)
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
- John McCrae
Let us pray for these victims and all victims of war. May we learn to live in peace with one another and with God.
FROM USCCB OFFICIAL PRAYERS FOR WAR 

Prayers in a Time of War

1. For Troops
   All-powerful and ever-living God,
   when Abraham left his native land
   and departed from his people
   you kept him safe through all his journeys.
   Protect these soldiers.
   Be their constant companion and their strength in battle,
   their refuge in every adversity.
   Guide them, O Lord, that they may return home in safety.
   We ask this through Christ our Lord.
2. Prayer of a Spouse for a Soldier
   God of power and might,
   at every moment and in every place
   you are near to those who call upon your name in faith.
   In marriage you have blessed us with a share in your divine love.
   Look upon my husband/wife and keep him/her in your safekeeping,
   no matter where the road may lead.
   And when the battle is ended,
   bring him/her safely home to those who love him.
   We ask this through Christ our Lord.
3. Prayer of a Parent for a Soldier
   Father all-powerful and ever-loving God,
   from before we were born,
   your love has nurtured and sustained us.
   Hear my prayer for N., my son/daughter.
   Keep him/her safe in time of battle
   and faithful to you, day in and day out.
   Bring him/her safely home to those who love him/her.
   We ask this through Christ our Lord.
4. For Government Leaders
   God of power and might, wisdom and justice,
   through you authority is rightly administered,
   laws are enacted, and judgment is decreed.
   Assist with your spirit of counsel and fortitude
   the President and other government leaders of these United States.
   May they always seek
   the ways of righteousness, justice and mercy.
   Grant that they may be enabled by your powerful protection
   to lead our country with honesty and integrity.
   We ask this through Christ our Lord.
5. For the Safety of Soldiers
   Almighty and eternal God,
   those who take refuge in you will be glad
   and forever will shout for joy.
   Protect these soldiers as they discharge their duties.
   Protect them with the shield of your strength
   and keep them safe from all evil and harm.
   May the power of your love enable them to return home
   in safety, that with all who love them,
   they may ever praise you for your loving care.
   We ask this through Christ our Lord.
6. For our Enemies
   Jesus, Prince of Peace,
   you have asked us to love our enemies
   and pray for those who persecute us.
   We pray for our enemies and those who oppose us.
   With the help of the Holy Spirit,
   may all people learn to work together
   for that justice which brings true and lasting peace.
   To you be glory and honor for ever and ever.
7. For Deceased Veterans
8. O God, by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest,
9. look kindly on your departed veterans who gave their
   lives in the service of their country.
   Grant that through the passion, death, and resurrection of your Son
   they may share in the joy of your heavenly kingdom
   and rejoice in you with your saints forever.
   We ask this through Christ our Lord.