“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world” (Mt 5: 13, 14)

In keeping with the desires of the episcopate of Africa, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, officially convoked the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, which is to take place in the Vatican from 4 to 25 October 2009. After due consultation, the Bishop of Rome, the Head of the Episcopal College and President of the Synod of Bishops, chose as the topic for this synodal gathering: The Church in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace: “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world” (Mt 5: 13, 14).

(…) 146. The Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops is an important moment for the Church-Family of God in Africa. It is a kairos (cf. Mk 1:15). St. Paul the Apostle writes in his Letter to the Corinthians: “Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:2). This is the acceptable time for reconciling each person to God and one another. This reconciliation will bring about justice and peace. Just as Jesus accomplished his mission through bearing his cross, all Christ’s disciples in Africa, who have received “the word in much affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess 1:6), must likewise in their flesh break down “the dividing wall of hostility” (Eph 2:14). In effect, “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, … because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us” (Rom 5:3-5). Christ is the one who guides “our feet into the way of peace.” (Lk 1:79) and entrusts to the Church the “the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:18).

147. The need for reconciliation on the continent is today more urgent than ever. The reconciliation which will regenerate the human family, sought so much by Africa, is obtained in a justice which is more than human and a peace which is more profound than the absence of war or the silence of arms. The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI has invited the faithful to implore the Holy Spirit, who is the source of reconciliation in the Son and who works in people’s hearts. “The Spirit is also the energy which transforms the heart of the ecclesial community, so that it becomes a witness before the world to the love of the Father, who wishes to make humanity a single family in his Son.” Convinced that “in the midst of conflict and division, we know it is (God) who turns our minds to thoughts of peace,” people make an offering of their suffering and activity so that “those who were estranged join hands in friendship, and nations seek the way of peace together” (cf. 2 Cor 5:18). Building the civilization of love is everyone’s responsibility.

148. The Church-Family of God in Africa, faithful to her vocation to announce the Good News of the Gospel, desires to open herself more and more to the mission ad intra on the continent itself and ad extra towards the Churches of other continents in contact with her. So that this openness can be a “witness … to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8), Christians and Christian communities on the continent wish equally to open their hearts to immigrants from other countries and continents. In their work, the force of the Gospel will provide energy for the Church-Family of God in service to reconciliation, justice and peace.

149. With Mary, the Church in Africa is open to the action of the Holy Spirit so that, in and through her members on the continent, the face of the earth might be renewed:

Holy Mary,?Mother of God, Protectress of Africa,?You have given to the world the true Light, Jesus Christ.

Through your obedience to the Father and the grace of the Holy Spirit?You have given us the source of our reconciliation and our justice,?Jesus Christ, our peace and our joy.

Mother of Tenderness and Wisdom,?Show us Jesus, your Son and the Son of God?Guide our path of conversion?So that Jesus might shine his glory on us?In every aspect of our personal, familial and social lives.

Mother, full of Mercy and Justice,?Through your docility to the Spirit, the Counselor,?Obtain for us the grace to be witnesses of the Risen Lord,?So that we will increasingly become?The salt of the earth and the light of the world.

Mother of Perpetual Help,?We entrust to your maternal intercession?the preparation and fruits of the Second Special Assembly for Africa.

Queen of Peace, pray for us!

Our Lady of Africa, pray for us!
(conclusion of the “Instrumentum Laboris” – African Synod)

OTHER LINKS :
- Pope says African church must oppose ‘toxic waste’ of materialism
- Pope: “Church in Africa, the leaven of reconciliation”
- Pope Benedict XVI: Africa, an Enormous Spiritual “Lung” for Humanity
- A video presentation of the second synod of Bishops (Africa)

When : 4 pm – 8 PM on Sunday, September 27, 2009

Where : Montreal Grand Seminary
(2065 Sherbrooke St. West, near Metro Guy)

Exposition of youth groups, movements and organizations
Come share your photos, posters, audiovisual presentations of your
group/movement or organization!

This is a golden opportunity for your group to come and share the
beautiful gift of God that it is and to make itself and its mission known to
the youth of Montreal in all its splendour and liveliness!

Youth leaders, animators working with youth, youth organization leaders/coordinators,
camp counsellors, young adults, teens, etc. are invited to participate in order to discover
the incredible number of youth groups, movements, camps, and events that colour the
landscape of the Diocese of Montreal!

To reserve a kiosk go to this link (pdf file).

We look forward to seeing you on September 27 !!!

United in the mission!

And more …

Video of the Diocesan World Youth Day 2009

WYD Madrid 2011 : details

In U.S.A. one million children have their lives ripped apart annually, teenage pregnancy is all too common in our society, juvenile delinquency is rising at an alarming rate, and what is it that all of these social ills have in common? DIVORCE! And what is even worse is that we have began to accept this behavior as normal. (…)

In trouble marriage, ministers are called to identify the suffering in their own hearts and make that recognition the starting point of their service. They must go beyond their professional, somewhat aloof role and leave themselves open as fellow human beings with the same wounds and suffering as those they serve. In other words, they heal from their wounds. These are the words spoken in Henri Nouwen’s book, The Wounded Healer and they aptly describe the efforts of Greg and Julie Alexander.

Several years ago Greg and Julie Alexander were at a point where they concluded that a divorce was the only way out of what they thought to be a troubled marriage. Living a life based on the things that society says are important took them spiraling downward until they literally hit rock-bottom. A dear priest guided them back to the truths of the church and as they begin to learn those truths and incorporate them into their lives; they were able to restore the love that they once had for each other. After miraculously, returning from the brink of divorce by inviting God back into their relationship, Greg and Julie began working on what is now known as The Alexander House, a non-profit apostolate dedicated to the education and enrichment of marriage and family life. Their revolutionary Marriage Works N-HIM™ process is consistent with Roman Catholic Church teachings, traditional family values and virtues.

Their educational background includes Greg obtaining a bachelor’s degree in photo-communication from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas and Julie with studies in business from St. Edward’s University as well. Combined they have over 22 years of experience in sales and marketing. They spent two and half years as Coordinators of the Family Life Office in the Diocese of Austin and a year and a half as House Parent at a maternity home in Georgetown, Texas, but their greatest learning has come through their relationship with one another and their children. Greg and Julie have been trained in coaching and numerous marriage camp; parenting education courses and together they bring a passion for helping individuals and couples be the best they can be. As speakers they bring a culmination of church teaching coupled with their own marriage and family experience and present it in a practical and energizing way. Together they have presented numerous workshops and talks around the nation and these events have provided individuals and couples with tremendous hope and encouragement in their existing and potential marriages. (Source : Alexander House’s website)

You can look at video Testimonies on this website page.

God is Committed to Your Marriage!

My confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don’t feel threatened. I don’t feel discriminated against. That’s what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn’t bother me a bit when people say, “Merry Christmas” to me. I don’t think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn’t bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a crèche, it’s just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away. I don’t like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don’t think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can’t find it in the Constitution and I don’t like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren’t allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that’s a sign that I’m getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick andJessica came from and where the America we knew went to. In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it’s not funny, it’s intended to get you thinking. Billy Graham’s daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her “How could God let something like this happen?” (regarding Katrina); Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, “I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we’ve been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?”

The rest can be found right here.

Evening 1: Who is God?

• Powerpoint slides
• Audio presentation
• Question and answer session

Evening 2: If God is good, why is there evil in the world?

• Powerpoint slides
• Audio presentation
• Question and answer session

Evening 3: If God is good, and there is evil in the world, what has God done about it?

• Powerpoint slides
• Audio presentation
• Question and answer session

Evening 4: If God is good, and there is evil in the world, and God is doing something about it, how do we get with the program?

• Powerpoint slides
• Audio presentation
• Question and answer session

Someone asked “What are the minimal requirements for a valid confession?”

The sacrament of reconciliation is not only the confession of your sins but it’s also the confession of God’s love and infinite mercy! Giving some details about particular sins certainly helps the priest to give a good diagnosis, but this humbling experience is also part I think of the healing process. People give specific details to doctors, psychologists/ psychoanalysts and- gasp- radio-hosts- all the time!

The sacrament of confession is– with the sacrament of the anointing of the sick- a sacrament of healing as well as forgiveness. If we want to “tap” into the healing power of the sacrament, if we want to expose our souls to the abundance of God’s grace, our confessions need to be a bit specific. It’s true, we don’t always need to give every “gritty details” (as Jimmy [Akin] says, “the important thing is not the words that are used but that the priest understands the species of the sin that is being confessed”) but some basic details are sometimes called for- especially if those details can change the gravity of the sin. Remember that God wants us offer ourselves as we are, because it is the truth that sets us free : “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.” (Psalm 51:8).

I believe the “minimal requirements” for a valid confession are

1) contrition for sins committed (”perfect” or “imperfect” contrition) ;

“Catholic teaching distinguishes a twofold hatred of sin; one, perfect contrition, rises from the love of God Who has been grievously offended; the other, imperfect contrition, arises principally from some other motives, such as loss of heaven, fear of hell, the heinousness of sin, etc.” (New Advent Encyclopedia).

2) confession of all mortal sins (*) since last confession (without willfully withholding any) ;

My advice is to confess all sins that have a grave matter, whether you personally think they were (objectively) mortal or not. Let God be the judge of that!

Regarding details, as Jimmy Akin said, as long as the priest understands the species of the sins that are being confessed and that you’re not withholding details that can change the nature or the gravity of the sins, you’re fine.

3) doing “penance” for your sins (the one given by the priest) as an act of reparation;

4) the sincere desire to repent and to try your best not to sin again.

Those would be ‘minimal’ requirements’.

For an “optimal confession”, make sure your confession is done first of all in a prayerful recollection (with a good examen of conscience prior to the confession itself). Ask the Lord for a good contrition! Confess not only your grave sins but any venial sins you’ve been struggling with since your last confession. Ask for God’s grace in overcoming these sins. Don’t be afraid to name some specific areas of your life which are in need of strength and/or healing. Perhaps you’re overly shy or easily stressed out (not necessarily sins per se, but sometimes some unconscious wounds are at the base of these personality quirks– for example, excessive pride in the case of shyness— “what will people think of me???”)— ask the Lord to help you through the grace of his sacrament. Ask the priest for advice regarding certain situations.

For your penance, be zealous : don’t simply do the priest’s penance, add some of your own! Read some Bible passages which pertain to the sins with which you’ve been having the hardest time. Pray Psalm 51(50), the Miserere (which should be the minimal required penance for every mortal sin!— it’s not though, and I don’t personally give it as a penance because not enough Catholics know how to flip through a Bible… that is, when they have one!)

(*) Reminder : the three conditions required for a mortal sin are grave matter (e.g., a serious violation of one of God’s commandments), full knowledge (the person knows that it is a sin and understands why) and full consent (there person committed the sin without any constraints, either exterior constraints e.g. “someone made me do it!” or interior/mental/psychological constraints e.g. addictions, intoxication (under influence of alcohol, drugs), anxiety, fear, severe stress, sickness, tiredness, etc… These types of influences can affect a person’s consent, depending on what the sin is and the specific situation.

Whenever we speak of a sin as being a “mortal sin”, we have to remember that those 3 conditions are always required for a factual sin to be mortal. Of course, it’s not easy to judge the “mortality” of a given sin; that is why it’s always important to humbly confess sins that have a grave matter.

I sat silently while these deliberations were going on; until one of my lab mates who has lengthy conversations with me about the Church spoke up and said, “Marie-Linda, why are you just sitting there, not saying anything and defending the Church? Aren’t you the most devout of us all?” I didn’t answer. All I could think was, “Yeah, well, you’re not ready to listen; so why would I speak?” and “There is too much to tackle here”.

However, when I came back home, I realized that there isn’t actually all that much to tackle. My friends are associating being a Christian with following the precepts and rituals of the religion. This is not entirely wrong; but it completely escapes the essential. I decided that if I had answered, this is what I would have told them:

Imagine some really rich person comes up to you and says, “I love you. I love you so much; you can have all my money.” And the person hands you a check of 10 million dollars, free for your use. Would you refuse that??? And let’s say this person says, “By the way, I am so powerful I don’t die. I can save you from death too, if you love me.” Could you say no to the offer of living forever? And let’s say this person says, “I love you so much that I’ll serve you all the time and give you all you need.” Would you be crazy enough to push them away? Wouldn’t you fall in love with them just because they love you so much?

Don’t you guys want to see again all the ones you love who died? Don’t you want to be unfadingly ecstatically happy? Wouldn’t you want to take a chance at all this, even if you’re not sure? Wouldn’t you want to risk a lot, knowing that you could gain so much more? Don’t you want to check it out, if only to benefit yourself?

Being a Christian is not about following doctrines. It’s about a relationship; a relationship with a Living God who came to us so that we could see Him. He gives us Perfect Love. He can make us alive forever. He can bring us back together again with everyone we love (by eternal life and forgiveness). He can give us everything. He isn’t less real because certain people make mistakes in showing who He is. Why would you not want to love Someone so great?!? Are you afraid to not get all these good things in case He doesn’t exist (i.e. are you afraid to be deceived)? Even if that were the case, you would still live better for believing in Him. So why not just take the chance?

Religion is supposed to nurture our relationship with the Lord; not take over it; not hinder who we are; not become the focus of our devotion. It is a means to the end of loving God. It helps us understand the relationship; it guides us as to how to act on it; it shows us examples of what others have done with it; it gives us a chance to share this relationship with a community; it gets us to put the relationship into practice. But it is not the relationship.

Guys, why are you so caught up in these questions??? I struggle with questions about the church too, but that doesn’t mean I abandon it; I am in it for the sake of the relationship that needs to continue to grow. Don’t stunt your growth.

It begins with Love. It begins with the heart. If you love God, you will see that knowledge will follow, just like when you love someone and then wish to get to know them more. Once your heart is set on Him, no matter where you are in the Church, you will see that all your questions will get answered and all your obstacles will be overcome.