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Writer's pictureProfiles in Catholicism

October 2018 Issue

Updated: Oct 23, 2018


A Message from the Editor

We welcome Francis Etheridge as an Editorial Advisor, His report on the World Meeting of Families in Dublin provides important insights into this historical meeting.

Although we feature many news reports this month, there are also many other news articles that are added to specific pages in out Topics

Some of our readers may find these reports of interest.

We continue our overage of the sex abuse crisis and racial challenges with featured articles and many more that are also added to these topics.


For our readers who are challenged by the sex abuse crisis, we recommend reading Hurting in the Church: A way Forward for Wounded Catholics by Father Thomas Bergl.

Be sure to watch Christian Peschken‘s fascinating video interview with Msgr Mauro Cionini of the Holy See Delegation on Killer Robots.


Christian and his wife were recently awarded the "Cross of Officer 'PRO MERITO MELTENSI OF THE SOVEREIGN ORDER OF MALTA , presented by the Ambassador of the Order to the U.N. Geneva Marie-Therese Pictet-Althann.


We do not request funding to support our publication. We ask when possible to contribute to help save lives and support charities in our Advocacy section. Sometimes just a few dollars may help save a life. If possible, please send a few dollars to help Alwin Rex who missed his monthly hormone test , blood test and MRI scan and EEG because of lack of funds. His pastor and asked our readers to help, Please read How do we love our neighbor as ourselves?


 

Prayer of the Month


Prayer for the victims of the Indonesia Earthquake and Tsunami

Let Our Cries Come Unto You Most merciful and compassionate God,

Giver of Life and Love,

hear our prayers

and let our cries come unto you.

We weep with your people

We hear the cries of orphaned children and laments of bereaved parents

We feel the desperation of those searching for loved ones

We behold the silence of vanished villages.

We see the devastation.

We are overwhelmed by the enormity of it all.

Our hearts are hushed, our minds are numb.

Let not our hands be stopped, our voices dumb.

God of the universe,

Open our hearts to feel your compassion

Galvanize in us the act of continued giving

Bond us to our sisters and brothers in need

Comfort and heal the injured, the bereaved, the lost

Strengthen the aid workers and medical personnel

Bolster the resolve of governments and those with power to help

Open through this tragedy pathways to partnerships and peace

In Your Name of mercy and healing and compassion we pray

Note: The above prayers from the Jesuits where originally offered for the people of Japan following the earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011 by Christian Peschken Profiles in Catholicism

Quote of the Month

It is simply a myth that poverty cannot be conquered. Worldwide poverty can be overcome if people all over the world realize that our destiny is tied. When someone in any part of the world dies of hunger, a part of me dies; if the environment is wounded in any part of the world, something of who I am is hurt; if someone somewhere in the world is humiliated and abused by poverty and unhealthy living conditions, my human dignity is also abused. What is required for poverty to remain in the world especially in Africa is for Africans to give up hope and non-Africans to treat the poverty of Africa as if it did not matter to world peace and prosperity. by Stan Chu Ilo

 

Interviews

 

General Articles/Commentaries

 

Articles and Commentaries on the United States Immoral Separations of Immigrant Children from their Parents



 

Advocacy

  • When Children are Set Free by Shay Cullen, Mssc Preda Foundation

  • Please send a donation for help save the life of Alwin Rex. Please read the article How do we love our neighbor as ourselves? If just a few if our readers could send a donation of $20.00 toward his healthcare costs to Father Thomas Ayyaneth with a notation that the donation is for Alwin Rex. Father Thomas will process donations and send them to his pastor Father John. His mailing address is Fr. Thomas Ayyaneth, Syro Malankara Catholic Eparchial Chancery,1500 DePaul Street, Elmont-, New York 11003 , USA

  • Aiming high: Irish charity wants to impact five million African students By Susan Gately Catholic Ireland.net

  • How do we love our neighbor as ourselves?

  • Donation request for mentally retarded children in India

  • Help International Rescue Committee save lives in Yemen and worldwide.

  • Help save the lives of people in Kenya who are dying from lack of access to clean water. please read our interview with Father Joseph Mungai, FMH. Fr. Joseph Mungai of Kenya is raising funds for a well in his home village to honor his beloved mom, Lucy Nungari Mungai Lucy was a wonderful mother who died just a few months ago because she lacked access to safe water.

  • Help Sasha Save Her Soulmate Chad by Ethical Solutions, Organizer for American Living Organ Donor Network

  • Imparting Agricultural Skills for Life by Nick Costello HEAL

  • Whether They Are Young or Old, Hungry or Addicted, Homeless or Friendless... Catholic Charities sees the face of God in those in need. By providing food, clothing, shelter and counseling, we bring hope to the hopeless in the city of Chicago and its suburbs. With 150 programs at 153 locations throughout Cook and Lake counties, we serve virtually every neighborhood and parish in the Chicagoland area. Through our broad spectrum of services, we annually assist more than 1 million persons in Cook and Lake counties without regard to religious, ethnic or economic background. For more than 98 years, Catholic Charities has empowered families and individuals of all races and religious backgrounds to realize their full potential. Our services help people from the point of conception through the last stages of their lives. We keep mothers and their babies well-fed, prepare children in low-income families for school, keep youth in school and out of gangs, counsel and give job training to adults with economic troubles, provide affordable housing for seniors, and organize in-home care services for seniors who need help caring for themselves. donations@catholiccharities.net Only 8 cents of every dollar donated goes toward our administrative expenses; the rest goes directly to help clients. While Catholic Charities raises funds separately from the Archdiocese of Chicago, we serve as the social service arm of the church

  • Support Capuchin Community Services At the Capuchin Community Services, we support those who cannot support themselves. We are grateful to you for your support whether it be through prayer, through donated goods, or through financial donation. Please be assured that we are careful stewards of your trust. We welcome contributions of any size. All are acknowledged and are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Capuchin Community Services is a ministry of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph. Unless otherwise directed, donations support the local ministry and the Province. To donate through the mail: Capuchin Community Services PO Box 05830 Milwaukee, WI 53205-0830

 

Book Reviews/Commentaries

 

Film Reviews/Commentaries

Reviewed by Father Shay Cullen Preda Foundation

· The Trump Prophecy Commentary by Steve Rabey, Religion News Service

· 8beats Commentary by Anna J. Marchese America

Commentary by Nick Bramhill Irish Central

· A Star Is Born Reviewed by David Edelstein Vulture

· The Children Act Commentary by Maureen Lee Lenker Entertainment

· Little Women Reviewed by Haley Stewart America

· The Nun Reviewed by Eve Tushnet America

· Awe, humility, hope await in 'A Space Odyssey' Commentary by Antonio D. Sison Catholic News Service/ National Catholic Reporter

· Lodge 49 An Interview with Jim Gavin America

· Asa Itu Ada Commentary by The Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific

· Unbroken Commentary by John Anderson America

· The Apparition Reviewed by Stefano Rebeggiani Angelus

· Love, Gilda Reviewed by Ellin Stein Slate


TV Reviews/Commentaries

· The Secret of Kells Commentary by David Russell Mosley Patheos

Commentary by Jackson McHenry Vulture

Feasting with the Saints

by Sarah Lyon and Gordon Nary

Prayers


 

A Prayer for Victims of Sexual Abuse

God, we pray for victims of sexual abuse. We pray for healing. We pray for deep comfort. We pray that you will restore what has been stolen and broken. While you do not alter history, you reveal your love in the present and the future. What seems hopelessly shattered, in you can be redeemed. For the many millions who have been defiled in sexual abuse, show yourself to be loving and able – as you are willing – to give back life, and life abundant. Yes, there is great pain in this world. There is injustice. There is evil. We turn to you and cry out for help and healing. We cannot help but wonder why such horrible abuse happens. But we turn from “why?” and ask instead, “how?” How now will your perfect goodness and love find expression in the shadow of wickedness? God, you are good and loving and also all powerful. Yet you have risked giving humans the right to choose how we will live. Some choose evil. For those who are victims of other’s vile deeds, we ask you for grace and healing. For those who have suffered, come to them tenderly and with overwhelming and powerful love. We join Jesus’ and borrow his words, “Be freed from your suffering..” God, Heal the victims of sexual abuse, in Jesus name.”

by Mark Herringshaw believnet


A Prayer to Prevent Nuclear War Lord God, you created life and beauty in this world. You then entrusted the human community with caring for, and enhancing, your creation. Strengthen us, we pray, in this challenging time when the power to destroy this creation has grown so dangerously. Lead us on a road of peace, a road that includes a program of removing all nuclear weapons from our earth. We cannot hope to meet this challenge without your continuing presence and support. For this we make our prayerful plea in your name. by John T. Pawlikowski, OSM, Profiles in Catholicism


A Prayer for Those Who Have Suffered Abuse by the Clergy

God, in your providential love you comfort those who are wounded and afflicted.

Hear our prayers for those who have suffered abuse by those in their families or by those entrusted with their care.

In a special way, we pray for those who suffered abuse by clergy who betrayed a sacred trust and who were meant to stand for your loving presence in their lives.

May those who have been hurt find support and encouragement in communities of faith, hope, and love.

May they discover healing in genuinely loving and caring relationships.

May they reclaim hope for themselves.

May they be strengthened and confirmed in their resolve to set things aright.

May they rest in you who make all things work for the good. Amen

by Father Louis J Cameli Profiles in Catholicism


A Prayer for Migrant Children

Good Lord, who said “Whoever receives one of these little ones, receives me,” bless the little ones who are caught in the struggle of migration, separation, and abuse. Give all those adults who are responsible for them and for their welfare the wisdom and courage to do the children justice and to protect them. Make our hearts more ,loving and willing to do the right thing by them. May we see in all people young and old your image and so reverence their great dignity.

We make our prayer through you who came among us as a child and who was forced to flee the threat of violence Amen

by Father Louis J Cameli Profiles in Catholicism


A Prayer to End Racism As we gather together for prayer and communion, we are reaffirming our commitment to love unconditionally, welcome all people and work to root out the cancer of racism that betrays our faith and country’s highest principles.”

by The Rev. Dr. Darryl Roberts, Senior Pastor, Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, Washington. DC


A Prayer for East Africa O Lord, with so much tragedy going on in our own country, children separated from their parents at our borders,

needy asylum seekers turned away,

against the spirit of all that we stand for,

as stated on the Statue of Liberty,

help us to think of, pray for, and find the means to help others

around the world,

especially the millions of people facing starvation

in East Africa.

We are called by the Jewish prophets and by Jesus

to help all in need, and our country has the resources to do so.

Help us to work together with other nations around the world

to raise awareness of the desperation of the East Africans,

and to pool our resources to send them food and medical aid,

so that they may survive

and help others to survive

and thrive.

We ask this in the name of our Loving Father, the Son who sacrificed his life for all,

and the Holy Spirit who permeates all reality and the hearts and souls of all humans.

Amen by Dr. Eugene Fisher Profiles in Catholicism


A Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse

God of endless love,

ever caring, ever strong,

always present, always just:

You gave your only Son

To save us by the blood of his cross.

Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,

join to your own suffering

the pain of all who have been hurt

in body, mind, and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.

Hear our cries as we agonize

over the harm done to our brothers and sisters.

Breathe wisdom into our prayers,

soothe restless hearts with hope,

steady shaken spirits with faith:

Show us the way to justice and wholeness,

enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy.

Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,

heal your people’s wounds

and transform our brokenness.

Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace,

so that we may act with justice

and find peace in you.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

by Christian Peschken Profiles in Catholicism

· A Prayer to End Gun Violence

Lord Jesus, as you approached the city of Jerusalem,

Before your passion,

As your people waved palms in your honor,

You saw the city and wept over it because you

Loved it.

You knew of the violence and chaos you would suffer

In that beloved city

still you loved it and wept over it.

Lord Jesus, look upon our cities, weep over them,

Love them and protect them.

Weep over us and strengthen us as we suffer

Violence and chaos.

Weep over us and love us.

Lord Jesus, weep over us and love us. (See Lk 19)

by Father David O. Brown, O.S.M. Profiles in Catholicism


Prayer for Immigrants and Refugees Lord Jesus, when you multiplied the loaves and fishes, you provided more than food for the body, you offered us the gift of yourself, the gift which satisfies every hunger and quenches every thirst! Your disciples were filled with fear and doubt, but you poured out your love and compassion on the migrant crowd, welcoming them as brothers and sisters.

Lord Jesus, today you call us to welcome the members of God's family who come to our land to escape oppression, poverty, persecution, violence, and war. Like your disciples, we too are filled with fear and doubt and even suspicion. We build barriers in our hearts and in our minds.

Lord Jesus, help us by your grace,

To banish fear from our hearts, that we may embrace each of your children as our own brother and sister;

To welcome migrants and refugees with joy and generosity, while responding to their many needs;

To realize that you call all people to your holy mountain to learn the ways of peace and justice;

To share of our abundance as you spread a banquet before us;

To give witness to your love for all people, as we celebrate the many gifts they bring.

We praise you and give you thanks for the family you have called together from so many people. We see in this human family a reflection of the divine unity of the one Most Holy Trinity in whom we make our prayer: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops


A Prayer for the End of Human Trafficking

God of freedom, beauty and truth

we believe that your deepest desire,

your most powerful energy,

is that all creation might know abundant life.

We raise our voices in anguished prayer

for our sisters and brothers,

women and girls, men and boys,

who are modern day slaves;

They are your beloved daughters and sons,

exploited sexually or forced to work

because of human violence and greed.

Fill us with your holy anger and your sacred passion

that those who are trafficked might know healing and justice;

that traffickers will come to repentance and conversion;

that all of us might live in such a way

that others are not made to pay the price

for our comfort and convenience.

Hasten the coming of the day when all people

and our precious Earth itself

will be treated, not as a commodity,

but as radiant images of your freedom, beauty and truth. Amen. May it be so.

, Convent Station, N.J.

 

Videos


Killer Robots - Christian Peschken Interview Msgr Mauro Cionini of the Holy See Delegation by Peechken Reports





Our next Pope? Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle talks to Colm Flynn





Vatican II: The Battle for Meaning

by Massimo Faggioli, PhD



Inside Story: The Ministry of an Exorcist by EWTN Vaticano



Out of the Shadows: Disabilities and the Church

by America /The Jesuit Review



Fr. Frans Thoolen: Refugees 'Why is the Catholic Church involved on a political level'

by New Channel



The sculptor of Faisalabad

by ucanews



Marco Lo Russo film

by Karin Krah

 





Become the Joy in Broken Communities - Midwest Capuchin Franciscan Vocations

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