Pope Benedict appointed a new apostolic nuncio to France (Paris), Archbishop Luigi Ventura, currently the nuncio to Canada- (since june 22 2001)
(source : Zenit -news in french)

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

After Dilbert the most valuable office employee, there is Umbert, the unborn. As his website says, “the world’s most loveable baby hasn’t yet been born”

The Unborn Child Finally Has a Voice of His Own!

Meet Umbert the Unborn, the pre-natal comic strip character that is winning the hearts and minds of people throughout the country. Created by Gary Cangemi in 2001, Umbert appears weekly in the National Catholic Register and over 100 other publications serving nearly a million readers and growing.

Umbert is a pre-born infant of yet undetermined gender whose mother’s womb is his private universe, playground and think-tank from which he can anticipate life and the world that awaits him.

Umbert is a feisty, outspoken baby who loves life and wants respect. Umbert often appears in various stages of development from a single cell to a near term baby. Umbert the Unborn is an upbeat, funny and sometimes poignant cartoon about human life in all its glory and potential. Umbert’s purpose is to give a voice, personality and humanity to the unborn child and to change the hearts and minds of the “born” and the way we view life before birth.

Pope Benedict XVI’s second volume on the life of Jesus is likely to be completed next spring, a Vatican spokes­man said.

The book is expected to cover Christ’s childhood, Passion, death and resurrection. The first volume, “Jesus of Naz­areth,” was published in 2007.

Father Federico Lombardi told Cath­o­lic News Service Sept. 13 that next spring was a “realistic” target date for completion. He added that readying the manuscript for publication and translating it into other languages may delay it.

The pope has been working on the volume over the last two years, mostly during summer vacations. When he broke his right wrist in July, he was said to have been particularly disappointed because it meant he couldn’t write.

The 448-page first volume covered the life of Christ from the time of his baptism in the Jordan River to the transfiguration before his disciples. In it, Pope Bene­dict said Christ must be understood as the Son of God on a divine mission, not as a mere moralist or social re­for­mer.

The book said that while Christ did not bring a blueprint for social progress, he did bring a new vision based on love. (source)

Marriage

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!

Pope Benedict to meet with contemporary artists in the Sistine Chapel(video on You Tube)

Pope Benedict plans to meet up to 500 artists from around the world in November.

Comments from Micha :

Dear Fr. Silvain Cloutier,

I want to thank you for the kind article and picture of His Holiness Pope Benedictus XVI and Mr. Wadie Abunassar and I am humbly honored that one of my favorite oil printed painting “The Savior” Jesus of Nazareth was presented and gifted to His Holiness and The Holy See Blessed my kind Art Work in Jerusalem on May 12, 2009 where I did not have the chance to humbly see him in person yet… I hope & pray.

In fact, and with my ultimate believes that Our Lord Jesus of Nazareth the Prince of Peace is truly “the Alpha & the Omega”. Through Him, With Him, In Him, the love and compassion to one another can be reached into the Hearts while the absence of Justice is spreading harshly in our Globe.

I am so pleased to hear the Spiritual Art Encouragements of His Holiness meeting 500 Contemporary artists at the Vatican in the Sistine Chapel.
With my best wishes of success to all in their work and activities, and that the Art will keep on chairing our spiritual Catholic Church mission and to continue implementing by vision the True Words of Love and Life of Our Savior Jesus of Nazareth and Our Beloved Mother of God The Virgin Mary to the entire humanity so we can be All as One.

May the Providence accompany us with the blessings of The Holy See and the prayers of every Goodwill person; with our finest utmost sincere regards to all, assuring you that we are, Gratefully yours in Christ,

Artist,
Micha/Micheline Edward Abounassar,
Edward (Father), Aida (Mother), Michael (Brother) Abounassar

http://www.michasgallery.org

michasgallery@yahoo.com
(818) 522-7123 California, U.S.A

The Régie du cinéma du Québec serves the public. It examines all movies (whether to be shown in movie theatres or on video) as regards youth protection and the preservation of public order. Each movie is classified into an age category under the provisions of the Cinema Act : G (Général – For all), 13+, 16+, 18+. Classification can also be accompanied by one of the six indications provided by the Regulation respecting stamps for films. (source)

… but movies are often classified lower than in America or in the other province of Canada.

Inglorious Basterds is classified :

- UK:18 and over
- Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba)
- USA:R for strong graphic violence, language and brief sexuality
- Hungary:18
- Singapore:M18
- South Korea:18
- Australia: MA (mature)
- New Zealand: R16
- Ireland: 16+
- Germany:16 (bw)
- Portugal:M/16 (Qualidade)
- Iceland:16
- Netherlands:16
- Argentina:16
- Japan:R15+
- Norway:15
- Sweden:15
- Finland: K-15
- Canada:14A (Ontario)
- Canada:13+ (Quebec)
- France:-12

Therefore, in Quebec, this film may be viewed, purchased or rented only by persons 13 years of age or older. Chiidren under 13 may be admitted only if accompanied by an adult.

A thirteen years old (and under) kid can go to see this movie (or other movie like this one) with any adult without any problem… money talk!

In Quebec, “protection without censorship”

Since the mid 1960s, censorship is no longer practised in Québec. The Régie du cinéma does not, therefore, cut any material from films. Instead, it classifies them according to age groups. This system better meets the needs ot our society, protecting young people while ensuring the widest possible access to cinema. The ratings also provide the public with information that can help one decide what films to see.

Overall, films are judged according to general trends in Québec society and in such a way as to be in keeping with the rules of public order. However, when the Régie believes that a film presents a real danger to the public good, especially in terms of obscenity, it reserves the right to refuse classification. In such cases, the showing, sale and rental of the film are prohibited.

…Every work is judged in its entirety, and the rating seeks to reflect the overall effect of the film on young viewers.

Protecting youth ???

Just take a look at this preview “Inglorious Basterds”… and tell me “It is good for a kid under 13 to see this movie if is with his or her parent (or his or her’s friend’s parents)”. As few parents told me in theater business “Come on! They have seen worst at the TV”… No “parental guidance” ratings are used at home ? Take a look at this trailer ?

Inglorious Basterds Trailer HQ (2009)

This is only a trailer, a short part of the movie…

Thirtheen years ago (not twenty five years or more) this movie would have been classified 18+ (I was employee, and later theater manager, from 1984 to 1998)…

I know : this is a Quentin Tarantino movie… but a lot of movies in Quebec are under classified. Be carefull!

As catholic father or mother, you probably want to know if the movie you would like to watch with your kids has good christian values. I agree with you.

Just take a look at this site , this site or this site and see. It could help you!

Here are some interesting links and info on the film Angels & Demons (based on the novel by Dan Brown).

- Fact-checking Angels & Demons (Decent Films)
- Religion and Science in Angels & Demons (Decent Films)
- Angels, Demons and Modern Fantasies About Catholicism (Word on Fire)

Exactly one week ago today I had a chance to give a conference presentation on stewardship. The conference was held here in Montreal, and 300 people attended. It was the first conference of its kind.

So as to not lose the momentum, a special static page has been created here on Adventus.org. You can access the page from the link on the right, or simply by using this URL: stewardship.adventus.org

According to the Church’s ancient tradition, the sacraments are not celebrated today. Instead the sacred liturgy proposes a three part celebration to commemorate the Lord’s Passion. In the first part, the Liturgy of the word, we read the holy scripture detailing the events and theology of Christ’s sacrifice. The Liturgy of the word however concludes with prayers of intercession that will be chanted for the church and the world. These intercessions will be followed then by the Veneration of the Cross and reception of Holy Communion kept in reserve from Holy Thursday.

Our liturgy rightly puts an emphasis on this intercessory prayer on this particular occasion, because it is here where we focus on the key event of our salvation, the passion and death of Jesus Christ. In these intercessions we pray for the Church, for the pope and clergy, for the faithful, for those about to enter the church through baptism, for Christian unity; we pray for the Jews, our elders brothers in the faith; we pray for those who do not believe in Jesus, or even in God; we pray for our world leaders and all those who suffer and are in need. In a senses we pray for ourselves. We are called to put ourselves in these prayers, for these prayers speak on behalf of all of us.

We all have to struggle through life, we all have times where we may struggle with faith in God. The Community, the Church, the body of Christ, are all formed by us, and in our humanity we journey along in the messiness life sometimes thrusts upon us.

Today we Contemplate the Cross, we face the extreme reality of our human condition. We know that it is often not a pretty sight. The cross of Jesus forces us to take stock of the reality of our own mortality, of our own shortcomings, of sin and the hurt within our world. There is evil in the world, each of us have or will come to face it at one point or another; and death, especially that of Christ’s, is a sign of that evil.

If our liturgy today invites us to take a close look at the reality of the cross, maybe it is because all to often our culture, our upbringing, our way of life, refuses the cross. We seek rather to deny the reality of the cross, of suffering, of death, or at least to avoid it.

Father John Monbourquette, a priest and clinical psychologist, wrote a book called ‘How To Befriend Your shadow.” In it he tells us that every person has a shadow, a dark side composed not just of sinful behavior, but of everything we have driven back into our unconscious for fear of being rejected. The Shadow is “a dark treasury that includes our infantile parts, emotional attachments, neurotic symptoms, as well as our undeveloped talents and gifts.”(p.12) Monbourquette tells us that we are called to bring our shadow into the light, that we may use it for our psychological health and spiritual growth. Neglecting to face our shadow, our dark side, is the cause of many obsessions and struggle and violence in our world. Father Monbourquette quotes Carl Jung: “it is not by looking into the light that we become luminous, but by plunging into the darkness.”

In a certain real way Jesus has done this ‘par excellence’. Jesus has entered the darkness, Jesus did not refuse the cross but instead embraced it fully. He became the Suffering Servant. As the prophet Isaiah wrote: “it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we are healed.”(Is 52)

Father Cantalamessa, preacher to the papal household, writes: “We cannot embrace the ocean but we can let ourselves be embraced by it, immersing ourselves in its water at any point. In the same way we cannot grasp with our mind the whole passion of Christ, or even see into its depths. We can, however, do something better, more useful, and that is to immerse ourselves in it.”

Pope Benedict reminds us about the hope we have through the Cross:
“Christ’s death recalls the accumulation of sorrows and evils that beset humanity of all times: the crushing weight of our dying, the hatred and violence that again today bloody the earth. The Lord’s Passion continues in the suffering of men.

Every year, placing ourselves in silence before Jesus nailed to the wood of the cross, we realize how full of love were the words he pronounced during the Last Supper. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many” (Mark 14:24). Jesus willed to offer his life in sacrifice for the remission of humanity’s sins. In front of the cross we are placed before something that humanly might seem absurd: a God who not only is made man, with all man’s needs; not only suffers to save man, burdening himself with all the tragedy of humanity, but one who dies for man.

Saint Jose Maria once wrote:
“Many years ago I saw a painting which made a deep impression on me. It showed the cross of Christ with three angels beside it. One was weeping; one held a nail in his hand, as if trying to convince himself it was true; and the third was rapt in prayer. Here we have a program for each of us: to cry, believe, and pray.

Here before the cross, we should have sorrow for our sins and for those of all men, for they are responsible for Jesus’ death. We should have faith to penetrate deep into this sublime truth which surpasses our understanding and fill ourselves with amazement at God’s love. We should pray so that Christ’s life and death may become the model and motivation for our own life and self-giving. Only then will we earn the name of conquerors: for the risen Christ will conquer in us, and death will be changed into life.