Dominican sisters to appear on Oprah Winfrey Show

Dominican Sisters of Mary

Feb 8, 2010 / (CNA).- The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist have made waves across the nation for their rapid growth and their devout orthodoxy. Now, they are once again in the national spotlight, being featured on the popular Oprah Winfrey Show.

“They phoned us and asked if they could do a program on us with Oprah. That's all we know!” Sister Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz, OP, vocations director for the community, told CNA in an email.

The show featuring the sisters will air on Tuesday, February 9, 2010. The same day happens to be the congregation’s 13th anniversary. The coincidence is “amazing, as they did not know this when they chose the date -- but God did!” exclaimed the vocations director.

When asked why they chose to accept the invitation and appear on the show, “Oprah is powerful -- we entrust this endeavor to Mother Mary for the greater glory of her Son! It's truly been a lot of fun as 'the world' does not begin to understand our life,” the Dominican said. “Hopefully, this will inspire more people to love God and serve Him in the manner He invites each of us -- and get the Gospel on the airwaves!!”

The Dominican Sisters of Mary were founded in 1997 by four Dominican sisters responding to John Paul II’s call for a new evangelization. In the 13 years of their existence, they have grown to almost 100 members. Their newly constructed motherhouse is already filled to capacity.

Currently, the average age of the sisters is 26 and the average age of their postulants is 21.

“Young people, inspired by John Paul the Great and Pope Benedict XVI, are generous and desirous of living sacrificial, authentic lives as God asks of them,” Sr. Joseph Andrew said.

“We agreed (to be on the show) because it will further understanding of Religious Life,” she added. “The Catholic Church is alive, well, and thriving as is authentic religious life,” she added.

Obama will not bring peace to the Middle East, God will.

Talking about Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize … does he deserve it?

Barack Obama said he was humbled and undeserving. But more than anything the US president was as surprised as most of America, and much of the world, to be woken before the sun was up and told he had won the Nobel Peace prize after just nine months in office and while he is deciding whether to escalate the war in Afghanistan.

The Nobel committee said it chose Obama "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples" and for creating "a new international climate".

But the Jordanian bishop said that ‘God, not Obama will bring peace to the Middle East’.

Read on …

The Vicar of Jordan, Most Rev. Selim Sayegh, spoke to CNA in Amman last week about the tensions in the Middle East as well as the diminishing number of Christians in the area. He noted that Catholics can assist those struggling in the region by praying for peace because “true peace comes from the Lord,” not Obama, or Israeli/Palestinian leaders.

Sayegh, who has served Jordan as an auxiliary bishop for 27 years, addressed the plight of Christians in the Middle East, particularly the ones living in Iraq. He noted that the while the situation isn’t desperate, less Christians are living in the area than is considered ideal.

“Why,” the bishop asked, are not only Christians but also Muslims leaving the area? “All of them, they are looking for peace…they want peace for their children,” he answered.

“Once peace is established into these countries...no one would think about leaving.”

He zeroed in on Iraq asking why anyone would leave – it’s “one of the richest countries in the world,” however “there is no hope.”

When Iraqi Christian’s leave, they go to Jordan or Syria, the vicar explained. But, “for the most part, the Christians don’t intend to become established in Jordan,” but they only “stay until they can obtain a visa to the United States, Europe or Australia.”

“It’s a very sad situation,” the bishop lamented, explaining that many of the Iraqis were educated, economically well-off people in their country, but when they leave, all of a sudden, “poof, and they have nothing.”

Bishop Sayegh said that Catholics around the world can help improve the situation in the Middle East not only by being “good citizens,” but also by praying for peace.

“Pray for peace because true peace comes from the Lord, it doesn’t come from Obama or from Netanyahu or from Abu Mazen,” but rather from the “Lord of peace,” the bishop remarked.

READ MORE HERE

Muslims burn 6 Christians to death after false allegations

Lahore, Pakistan, Aug 2, 2009 / 11:31 am (CNA).- Religious extremists struck again in Pakistan on Saturday when a violent mob of Muslims looted and burned a Christian neighborhood, killing six Christians by burning them to death. The attacks took place in reaction to a rumor that the Koran was desecrated in a nearby village.

The violence, which took place in the central Punjab town of Gorja City, occurred early on Saturday when a throng of Muslims surged into the Christian quarter, setting all 40 of the Christian houses and two churches aflame.

As the crowd of Muslims approached Gojra City, Christians fired shots at them in self-defense.

Six Christians—four women, a man and a 7 year-old child—were burned to death in the attacks.

The rioters were enraged by the alleged desecration of the Koran in the village of Koriyan, about two miles away.

However, Rana Sanaullah, provincial minister for law, who is also responsible for security matters of Punjab, said that an initial investigation found there was no desecration of the Koran. "It was just a rumor which was exploited by anti-state elements to create chaos," he said.

According to locals, the police observed the looting and burning, but took no action. “Though police was present at the time of attack, miscreants were not stopped by them,” local Christians complained. After some time, the police tried to stop the protesters, but the mob turned on the police, resulting in some injuries.

According to Minorities Concern of Pakistan, “this is the third incident in the last two months of this kind in Punjab province in which Christian localities were attacked due to alleged blasphemy.”

Christians make up just 1.5 percent of the total population of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Refugees and persecuted Christians in Pope's prayers for August

Vatican City, July 31 (CNA) .- Today, the Vatican published Pope Benedict's prayer intentions for August. The Pope will be praying for refugees and for those who are persecuted in Christ's name.

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for August is "That public opinion may be more aware of the problems of millions of displaced persons and refugees, and that concrete solutions may be found for their often tragic situation."

His mission intention is "That those Christians who are discriminated against and persecuted in many countries because of the name of Christ may have their human rights, equality and religious freedom recognized, in order to be able to live and profess their own faith freely".

Pope Benedict Decries Bombing at Philippine Cathedral

Bystanders look at the debris caused by a bomb blast outside the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cotabato City yesterday. AP

6-July-2009 -- Catholic News Agency

Vatican City, Jul 5, 2009 (CNA).- This morning in the Filipino town of Cotabato City, a bomb was detonated near the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, killing at least five people and wounding some 34 others. After praying the Angelus at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his "deep rejection" of the attack and prayed for the victims.

The Holy Father explained that the attack is being attributed to Muslim extremists by the local police. The Pope told the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, "the explosion of a bomb in front of the cathedral (Cotabato) during the celebration of Sunday Mass, has caused several deaths and numerous injuries, including some women and children."

"While praying for the victims of this ignoble gesture, I raise my voice once again to condemn the use of violence, which is never a decent way to solve problems," he added.

Hundreds of churchgoers remained inside the cathedral after the powerful explosion, praying even more fervently for “peace.” The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said that Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo was delivering his homily when the incident occurred, causing panic among churchgoers.

Rolando Emberga, a churchgoer, said some rushed to go out of the church, but Archbishop Quevedo tried to calm things down, the CBCP reports.

Emberga said the blast was extremely loud and that people inside the church were screaming.

Four people, including two soldiers, died instantly in the attack and a fifth victim died at the hospital, according to local police reports.

Source: EWTN

Death toll in Cotabato bombing rise to 6 Updated July 06, 2009 11:01 PM

COTABATO, Philippines (Xinhua) - The death toll in the roadside bombing yesterday morning outside a Catholic church in the restive southern Philippines rose to six today, local media reported.

Baby boy Jeffrey Sayrel, 1, who was critically injured, died on Monday afternoon at a hospital in the southern city of Cotabato, Edwin de Gracia, parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, told a local radio station.

"The doctors tried but due to severe shrapnel wounds in the body, the boy died," Gracia said.

Five people were killed on Sunday and 55 others were wounded when militants detonated a home-made bomb in front of the church.

"We were inside the church when the blast happened outside. Three of my kids were hit by shrapnels and Jeffrey was among ( those) in serious condition," Lanny, the boy's mother, told Xinhua.

"I'm angry with the attackers. I hope they will be captured by the authorities," she added.

Earlier, the military said perpetrators behind the bomb attack were believed to be trained by foreign militants hiding in the country.

US troops in the Philippines are helping the authorities to investigate the bomb attack.

Source: Philstar

Annapolis woman healed of cancer through intercession of Bl. Seelos

Mary Ellen Heibel / Bl. Francis Seelos

Annapolis, Md., Jul 3, 2009 / 06:53 am (CNA).- An Annapolis woman whose cancer disappeared without explanation has become the focus of canonization efforts for a priest who was once a pastor in her diocese.

Mary Ellen Heibel, 71, was miraculously cured of terminal cancer after praying to Blessed Fr. Francis Seelos, a 19th century Redemptorist priest who had once served in the Annapolis, Maryland area.

“I was first diagnosed with esophageal cancer on January 6, 2003,” Heibel told CNA, “and it was all gone on February 8, 2005.”

As the tumors spread, Heibel had undergone radiation and chemotherapy over several months, but the doctors did not expect a full recovery. “They said the only thing they could do was keep me alive for a little while,” Heibel explained.

But then, a priest from Pittsburgh told Heibel about Fr. Seelos and recommended that she pray a novena to him with her pastor. She did so and a week later, she underwent a scan, which revealed that all the cancer had disappeared.

READ MORE HERE

Pope Benedict sums up Pauline Year as Year for Priests begins

Vatican City, Jun 28, 2009 / 10:17 am (CNA).- On Sunday Pope Benedict XVI addressed thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the recitation of the Angelus prayer. Benedict XVI summed up the Pauline Year, which comes to an end tonight, and told those present to follow St. Paul in their passion for Christ and the Gospel.

The Pope launched the Pauline Year to remember the 2,000 years since the birth of the Apostle of Tarsus. The Pauline Year, the Holy Father explained, was "a true period of grace in which, through pilgrimages, catecheses, publications and various initiatives, the figure of Saint Paul was offered again to the entire Church. His vibrant message among Christian communities revived everywhere the passion for Christ and the Gospel.” The Apostle Paul, Pope Benedict added, represents “a splendid model to follow” in the Year for Priests, which began on June 19, a year which can strengthen priests’ commitment to inner renewal, making them "stronger and more incisive evangelical witnesses in today’s world.” Pope of Tarsus, he continued, exemplifies the priest who identifies totally with his ministry, as did the Curé d’Ars, conscious that he carries a priceless treasure, which is the message of salvation, but in an “earthen vessel.” “For this reason he is at the same time both strong and humble, intimately convinced that everything is due to God, everything is his grace.” “The presbyter must belong wholly to Christ and the Church, to whom he must devote his undivided love, like a faithful husband to his wife,” the Pontiff expounded. Pope Benedict XVI concluded: “Dear friends, together with Sts. Peter and Paul the Apostles, we now invoke the intercession of the Virgin Mary that she may obtain from the Lord many blessings for priests during the Year for Priests which just began. May Our Lady, whom Saint Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney loved so much and who persuaded his parishioners to love, help each and every priest to reinvigorate the gift of God which in him is virtue of the holy Ordination, so that he may grow in holiness and be ready to bear witness, if necessary through martyrdom, of the beauty of his total and final consecration to Christ and the Church.” After the recitation of the Angelus, the Pope greeted Maronite Catholic faithful from Latakiyah, Syria and their parish priest.

Five more New Saints

Vatican City, April 21 (CNA).- This coming Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate Mass in St. Peter's Square and give the Church five new saints.

At the 10 a.m. Mass, four Italians and one Portuguese religious brother will be canonized by the Holy Father.

The Italians are: Arcangelo Tadini (1846-1912), Italian diocesan priest and founder of the Congregation of Worker Sisters of the Holy House of Nazareth; Bernardo Tolomei (1272-1348), Italian founder of the Olivetan Benedictine Congregation; Gertrude Comensoli (1847-1903), Italian virgin and foundress of the Institute of Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament; and Caterina Volpicelli (1839-1894), Italian virgin and foundress of the Institute of Handmaidens of the Sacred Heart.

The list of those to be canonized is rounded out by Nuno de Santa Maria Alvares Pereira (1360-1431), a Portuguese religious of the Order of Friars of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.

Palin encourages 'culture of life' at pro-life charity banquet

Evansville, Ind., April 17 (CNA).-Addressing the largest U.S. Right to Life banquet, Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin spoke of the miracle of life and urged the audience to speak out on pro-life issues.

When Palin, a strong pro-life advocate, was 13 weeks pregnant, she found out Trig would be born with Down syndrome.  "It was a serious time of testing," she explained.  "A time when I had to ask myself, 'am I just going to talk the talk, or walk the walk?'"

She was nervous about how everything would work out.  Palin, 44, was a busy governor with four active children and was concerned that she could not give the baby what he would need.

For a fleeting moment, she told the audience, she considered an abortion, however instead she turned to prayer.

"I had just enough faith to know that trying to change the circumstances wasn't any answer," she said.  She continued to pray that she would be able to meet the challenges of the new baby and that she could give him all he needed.

"The moment he was born, I knew that moment my prayers had been answered, and my heart overflowed with joy." Palin said. "I felt a love I had never felt before…he has brought so much happiness."

"I know for sure my son is perfect just as he is, and I do believe he was made in the image of God," she continued.

As a culture, we need to embrace life, Palin continued.  Our "children are perfect gifts, not burdens!"

She then urged the pro-lifers in attendance to make their voices heard.  It is important to speak up and remind everyone that we are proud to be Americans because we believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Abortion Is "Defeat for Medicine," Says Archbishop

Sao Paulo, Brazil, Apr 1, 2009 (CNA).- During a pro-life rally on March 29 outside the Cathedral of Sao Paulo in Brazil, Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer announced to the more than 5,000 people gathered that "abortion is a defeat for medicine."

After explaining to his audience that "the health of women who are raped can be recovered through medicine," the cardinal pointed out that "abortion is a radical attack against life. The Church supports everything that is done to save life. Abortion is a defeat for medicine."

The cardinal said the state should create laws that defend life from the moment of conception. "We cannot give the State the right to legally throw away the lives of the defenseless. It is a question of citizenship, not of religion," he continued.

Various pro-life leaders and lawmakers were present at the event, including Marilia de Castro of the National Movement of Citizens for Life. "We are going to defeat the measures that aim to kill our children," she said.

Pope calls for an ethical G20 solution that remembers the poor

Vatican City, April 1 (CNA).-Ahead of the G20 gathering in London tomorrow, Pope Benedict XVI has written to Prime Minister Gordon Brown to insist that any solution to the financial crisis involves the inclusion of ethics and be founded upon a "positive faith in the human person," especially those in extreme poverty.

Gordon Brown, who currently chairs the Group of 20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from industrialized and emerging nations, received a letter from Pope Benedict as the leaders prepare for their April 2-3 meeting.

The Pope praised the "noble objectives" they have set themselves, saying that they arise from the conviction "that the way out of the current global crisis can only be reached together, avoiding solutions marked by any nationalistic selfishness or protectionism."

READ MORE HERE