News Zenit News From Altar Server to Bishop Zenit News
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15:45 - 25.08.2010
ARLINGTON, Texas, AUG. 20, 2010 (Zenit.org).- In a world where young people are perpetually texting, “tweeting” and connecting on Facebook, it can seem that the modern technology of social networking is more of a distraction than a benefit. Matthew Warner, however, sees the technology as an opportunity to reach out to youth, and to unite parishes.
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15:43 - 25.08.2010
MINSK, Belarus, AUG. 20, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Though the Church in Belarus is thriving 20 years after religious freedom was restored, now the faithful must be on guard against the winds of secularism, says the archbishop of Minsk-Mohilev.
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15:40 - 25.08.2010
CALCUTTA, India, AUG. 20, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Mother Teresa of Calcutta would have turned 100 years old next Thursday. The order she founded Missionaries of Charity, as well as faithful and nonbelievers from around the world are joining in preparation for the anniversary.
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15:24 - 25.08.2010
IRONDALE, Alabama, AUG. 20, 2010 (Zenit.org).- When Benedict XVI makes his Sept. 16-19 State visit to the United Kingdom, people worldwide will be able to watch through the Eternal Word Television Network.
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15:22 - 25.08.2010
MEXICO CITY, AUG. 19, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Mexico's Supreme Court has propelled the nation to one of the world's most liberal stances on homosexual "marriage" and adoption.
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15:19 - 25.08.2010
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, AUG. 19, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Christians are uniting to affirm the importance of fatherhood and the truths of John Paul II's teaching in the theology of the body, says Glenn Stanton.
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15:17 - 25.08.2010
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, AUG. 19, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The Permanent Commission of the Argentina Episcopal Conference concluded a three-day meeting that was dominated by discussion on strategy, now that Argentina has established a nationwide recognition of same-sex "marriages."
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15:15 - 25.08.2010
BHOPAL, India, AUG. 19, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The Catholic Church in India is struggling to promote religious freedom in the nation, while recent conflicts show tensions are still flaring.
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15:07 - 25.08.2010
ROCCA DI MEZZO, Italy, AUG. 19, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI spent this year's Feast of the Transfiguration following Christ's example in a particular way: He went into the mountains, where he visited a Marian shrine that marked its 1,400th anniversary this summer.
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14:46 - 25.08.2010
ROME, AUG. 18, 2010 (Zenit.org).- A Vatican spokesman says Benedict XVI's trip to the United Kingdom next month will be an opportunity to effectively present a secularized society with the positive contribution and beauty of the Christian faith and the Catholic Church.
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16:17 - 24.08.2010
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 18, 2010 (Zenit.org).- An intimate personal union with Christ must be at the heart of apostolic activity, says Benedict XVI, pointing to the teaching of his predecessor St. Pius X.
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15:53 - 24.08.2010
ROME, AUG. 17, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.
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15:49 - 24.08.2010
ARLINGTON, Virginia, AUG. 17, 2010 (Zenit.org).- A seminar on the intersection between psychology and spiritual growth gathered people involved in pastoral ministry worldwide to study new methods of caring for others.
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15:48 - 24.08.2010
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 17, 2010 (Zenit.org).- A martyr is free before worldly power, a free person who in one definitive act gives his whole life to God, says Benedict XVI.
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15:45 - 24.08.2010
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 16, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the homily Benedict XVI gave Sunday for the feast of Mary's Assumption, which he celebrated in the parish Church of St. Thomas of Villanueva.
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14:07 - 24.08.2010
STUBENVILLE, Ohio, AUG. 16, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The words solemnly uttered by Pope Pius XII on Nov. 1, 1950, brought a new global appreciation to the Mother of Christ's glorious exit from earth to heaven, a doctrinal truth which has been celebrated liturgically since the sixth century.
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13:59 - 24.08.2010
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 16, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of Benedict XVI's address yesterday, solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin, before he prayed the midday Angelus together with pilgrims gathered in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.
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13:55 - 24.08.2010
VATICAN CITY, AUG. 16, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is affirming his personal gratitude to the members of the Knights of Columbus, and assuring them that fidelity to God is the best response to "often unfair and unfounded" attacks on the Church and its leaders.
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13:47 - 24.08.2010
TAIZÉ, France, AUG. 16, 2010 (Zenit.org).- As the ecumenical Taizé Community marked both the 70th anniversary of foundation and the fifth anniversary of the founder's death, Benedict XVI pointed to the founder's "ecumenism of holiness" as an inspiration in "our march toward unity."
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13:42 - 24.08.2010
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 16, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The truth of what awaits Christians and is prefigured with Mary's assumption into heaven should fill us with joy, says Benedict XVI.
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The Bible Today
| Christ Wants a Universal Church, Pope Says |
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Greets Bishops From a "Multiconfessional Environment" VATICAN CITY, MAY 4, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI met with prelates from a bishops' conference based in Belgrade and reminded them that Christ wanted his Church to be open to everyone. |
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| From Altar Server to Bishop |
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| Written by http://www.zenit.org/ | |
| Tuesday, 30 June 2009 | |
Priesthood Is a Pilgrimage and PrivilegeBy Bishop Frederick HenryCALGARY, Alberta, JUNE 26, 2009 (Zenit.org).- One of the great joys of my youth was to be an altar server. I was so taken by the Eucharist that I used to pretend to say Mass in my bedroom with my younger brothers acting as my altar servers. It was always a challenge to teach them their Latin responses and, while I was not always the soul of patience, our mutual perseverance seemed to win the day and we didn't do too badly. Being an altar server allowed me to see what the priest did up close. I can remember thinking what a privilege it was to be a priest and bring the Body and Blood of the Lord to people. As I observed my pastor's activity, I noted that the people would bring their newborn children to him and say, "give them the faith, baptize them." He always seemed to be there at the critical moments in their lives: weddings, sicknesses, funerals, and parties. I thought, "What a neat job!" The possibility began to emerge in my consciousness that maybe God wanted me to be a priest. Several years later, upon being appointed bishop of Calgary, I was being interviewed about my vocation on radio and I shared these early memories. It just so happened that my mother heard the interview and told me that I didn't quite get it right. She explained that one day during Mass at the cathedral, while still a preschooler, I pointed to the priest and blurted out: "I'm going to be one of those guys." Mysterious I have no recollection of this event, but it taught me something of the mysterious nature of the working of God grace. God's presence is not always obvious and God's actions are sometimes subtle and hidden. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth, I consecrated you; I have appointed you as prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:4-5). Building on the internal drawing of God's grace, the identification with my pastor, the tapping on the shoulder by a religious sister who asked, "have you thought about becoming a priest?," the example and faith of my mother and father, and with the encouragement of my peers and people -- both those with faith and those without -- with whom I worked over the years, and the seminary formation personnel, together enabled God's call to be both clarified and confirmed. One of my father's comments proved to be of particular importance in my formation. We used to have many animated discussions around the kitchen table about religion and our parish activities. Sometimes, we would move into the realm of critical comments. My father was always uncomfortable about criticism of any of our priests and he would repeatedly say: "Yes, but he is a holy man." I wasn't always convinced, but I began to understand the distinction between the office and the man. God makes use of human instruments, imperfect men, whom he calls to continue the role and mission of the Apostles, to do what he did. It is much like the Apostle Paul who could write: "I who am less than the least of all God's holy people, have been entrusted with this special grace, of proclaiming to the gentiles the unfathomable treasures of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8). I was ordained a priest in 1968 and a bishop in 1986. It's been a wonderful journey, perhaps more aptly, a pilgrimage. I remember, with considerable embarrassment, praying at the end of first theology before applying for tonsure: "Alright, God, I will be your priest, but I hope you realize all that I am giving up for you." At the time I didn't understand: "In truth I tell you, there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times as much, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land -- and persecutions too -- now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life" (Mark 10:29-31). God has certainly not been stingy with his blessings. Most of my experience of priesthood and the episcopacy has been lived under the motif of John 21. I can readily identify with Peter as he was repeatedly questioned by Jesus, "Do you love me?" Peter's response is much like my own -- a measured, tested, but feeble and humble, "Yes, Lord, you know I love you." Chosen However, the really critical words are Jesus' rejoinder: "In all truth I tell you, when you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch your hands, and someone else will put a belt around you and take you where you would rather not go" (John 21:18). I have never had one appointment that I would have chosen for myself. As a result of my discernment in the seminary, I concluded that God wanted me to be a parish priest, not a member of a religious community and certainly not a teacher. My first assignment as an associate pastor was to follow a very successful extroverted priest who had a special gift for working with young people. As an introvert, I did not want to follow him and thought that I had no gifts for working with young people. I did not want to do postgraduate studies but was asked to do so by my bishop and so I consented. I would also teach for a number of years at the seminary. I didn't want to become rector of the seminary, but rather to return to parish life and I told my bishop so. I added that I could only tell him where I was at, and that he, as bishop, would have to make the decision as to where I would serve based on the needs of the diocese. For my part, I would have to respond with faith and obedience. I thoroughly enjoyed being a seminary rector. I didn't want to become an auxiliary bishop, but God's will be done. I didn't want to be an ordinary in either diocese where I was assigned. However, by surrendering and letting myself be led by the Holy Spirit, each successive move became more satisfying and fulfilling than the previous one. So much so that, jokingly, I have said that I can't wait for the next move! Nevertheless, I am really happy where I am and it goes without saying: I don't want to move. * * * Frederick Henry was ordained a priest for the Diocese of London, Ontario, on May 25, 1968. He was ordained an auxiliary bishop of the diocese on June 24, 1986. He has been the bishop of Calgary since 1998. Bishop Henry served as a Canadian delegate to the 1990 synod of bishops on the formation of priests, and was appointed as representative of the Holy See for the Apostolic Visitation of Canadian seminaries.             |
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