Good Shepherd Church Prays for Men in San Juan

Good Shepherd Church has held an All-Night Prayer Vigil 

for the intentions of the group of Rosary-praying Catholic men who courageously protected the Cathedral - the House of God - in the City of San Juan from threats of vandalism.

Prayer has also been offered for the intentions of 

Rt Rev Bishop Mos. Alfonso Delgardo, 

Fr Ròmulo Campora and the 

Cathedral Congregation.

May strength and courage be theirs.

Breaking of Bread Worship Service for Intentions of All - Strength and Blessings on Your Path

Breaking of Bread Worship Service;

Introduction Hymn;
Sing we the King Who is Coming to Reign 
by Charles Silvester Horne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7MhlxwUiKE
Lyrics to Hymn
http://hollowayrev.wordpress.com/2011/11/18/hymn-of-the-week-sing-we-the-king-who-is-coming-to-reign/

Bible Reading;
Book of Matthew, Chapter 6, verses 6 to 15
"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, Who is Unseen.
Then your Father, Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, 
For they think they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
This, then, is how you should pray;
"Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day
Our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil."

For if you forgive people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Collect
Almighty God, unto Whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from Whom no secrets are hid, 
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, 
that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify Your Holy Name, through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Confession
Minister; 'Let us humbly confess our sins'
A period of silence, during which we pray together, kneeling before God as we think of where we can improve our lives.

Minister;
'May God Almighty have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life, Amen.'

Hymn
Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz-iqQrmV1s
Lyrics at 
http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/g/g051.html

Affirmation of Faith
Minister; 'We are not alone. We live in God's world.'

People; 'We believe in God, Who has created and is creating, 
Who has come in the truly human Jesus, to reconcile and make new, 
Who works in us and others through the Spirit.
We trust God, Who calls us to the Church, to celebrate life and its fullness, 
To love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil,
To proclaim Jesus, Crucified and Risen, our Judge and our Hope.'

Minister; 'In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us.'

People; 'We are not alone. Thanks be to God!'

Sermon
We have heard Jesus' teaching on how to pray.
The hallmarks of Jesus' teaching are simplicity and brevity.
Keep it short. Keep it simple. Keep it honest.
Tell God how you really feel.
Throw yourself into the arms of God with all your problems;
the relationship problems. The family fights. The nasty comments you have had said about you.
The injustice you have suffered. The rent you can't afford to pay. The illness you are suffering.
The child you are worried about. The friend who is on drugs and drink, and whose life is spiralling downward.
The decision you have to make.
The spouse who is unfaithful. The partner who has broken your heart. 
The difficult conversation you have to have. The lack of understanding and support you receive.
The prejudice you encounter.
The illness you are facing.
The physical pain you are feeling.
The baby you are scared you can't afford.
He knows all these things. He understands all these things.
As human, He suffered many things.
Now, let us ask God to
- please help us
- please guide us
- help us to honour Him here on earth as deeply and sincerely as the angels do in Heaven
- give us the grace to help us to forgive others the wrong they have done us
- throw ourselves on God's mercy for the wrong we have done to others 
- ask God to help protect us from evil, both within and without.

Let us pray, sincerely and in private, to God.
It is good to worship together. Here Jesus teaches us that it is essential - in order to grow as a Christian - 
to pray alone to the Father.
Jesus encourages us to build a relationship with God our Father.
His Father and our Father.
How wonderful is that?
Prayer to God is the water to our spiritual life's plant. 
Without it, our inner spiritual life will wither and die.

Offertory
In our Offertory, let us decide to do one good work today.
There are so many to choose from.
We can forgive someone something they did to us years ago, and let the grudge go.
Or we can repair a broken relationship, by talking to someone whom we have refused to speak to for many years.
Or we can lovingly accept a family member, colleague or friend who has a different orientation to us, knowing that he or she is a loved son or daughter of God.
Or we can lovingly accept a child who was born outside the bonds of marriage into our midst as a treasured member of our family.
Or we can financially assist someone in need.
Or we can sponsor a child who has no possibility of education or a better future otherwise.
Or we can cook a meal for our spouse/partner, who always does the cooking and gets tired.
You can think of a way in which to do a good work.
Let a rainbow of blessings light our world today!

Offertory Hymn
Living Waters
http://africangospellyrics.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/living-waters-lyrics-by-hlengiwe-mhlaba/

Comfortable Words
Hear what comfortable words Jesus said; Come unto me all you who labour and are heavy burdened, 
And I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart 
And you shall find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden light.
Ask, and it will be given to you.
Seek, and you shall find.
Knock, and the door will be opened unto you.
For everyone who asks, receives, and they who seek, find; and to them who knock, it will be opened.

A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you,
That you love one another.
I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall not thirst.

COMMUNION
Take a moment to have spiritual communion with Jesus.
Invite him into your soul.
Perhaps you have been away from the Sacrament of Communion for many years?
Your personal circumstances have distanced you from this most necessary Sacrament?
Than perhaps Divine Providence is leading you to these words now to lead you back to His Table.
The Communion Table is the Table of the Lord, and belongs to Him. 
Thus, all are welcome at His Table.
As sons and daughters of God, we have great need of our heavenly Father to assist us along our life's path.
Communion is Jesus' invitation to us to commune with Him and receive Heavenly strength and grace to face our life's tasks and challenges.

Sometimes we cannot receive Jesus in the Form of Bread and Wine because we are unable through geographical circumstance.
At times like these, a spiritual communion is helpful.
As we bless the wine and bread, and partake of them remembering Jesus' Life, Death and Resurrection, why not join with us by 
- giving your life to Jesus Christ 
- asking Him to enter your soul and help you with your life's needs
- rejoice in Jesus within your heart.
Blessings be with you, brothers and sisters.

The Lord's Prayer
"Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done,
On Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day
Our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not
Into temptation,
But deliver us
From evil.
For Thine, is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory,
Forever, Amen."

Communion Hymn
As the deer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no9StppmvGA

Prayers for Those Communing and Their Particular Concerns
Minister;  'Heavenly Father, I pray for all those communing and for all those reading these words.
I pray that you grant ease to those in distress, comfort for those who mourn.
I pray that you give guidance to the bereaved.
I pray for those who seek guidance as they realise their orientation.
I pray for the lonely, those seeking for love, sometimes in the wrong places.
I pray for those who feel they are living a lie in some area of their lives.
I pray for those who have lost children, those who have suffered miscarriage, and for those who grieve for their stillborn.
I pray for all those who have suffering of heart, and need easing of their inner pain.
I pray for those who struggle with ongoing health problems. 
I pray for those who have regret for a deed committed in the past, and who wish to quietly confess it to you together with their repentance.

I also pray for those who are joyous today.
Those who have a new life in their families today.
Those who have received a graduation, or promotion, or job.
I pray for those who have received joyous news today at the end of health concerns.
I pray for all who have birthdays today.

I pray for all who suffer in the Philippines, and in areas of our world where there is earthly disaster.
Please be with them, dear Lord, and give them strength in this difficult time.
I pray, too, for all who seek to help people in distress, for their strength and safety.

Dear God, You Who are Lord over all,
I pray too that you bless the ministry to which You have called me.
Please let this Worship Service assist those You wish to strengthen.
Amen.

Benediction;
Minister; 'May God grant you to be strengthened with might through the Spirit,
That Christ may dwell in your heart with faith;
That you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power to comprehend with all the saints 
What is the breadth and length and height and depth, 
And to know the love of Christ Which surpasses all knowledge; 
That you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives give I to you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The Service is over; go in peace to serve God and to bring His Love to the world.
Amen.'

Final Hymn;
Ave Maris Stella
http://kpshaw.blogspot.ca/search/label/Common%20of%20the%20Blessed%20Virgin%20Mary


Worship Service with kind permission of Unitarian Universalist Fellowship http://uuchristian.org/
Links with thanks to Youtube, hollowayrev.wordpress.com, oremus.org, pshaw.blogspot.ca

Artwork by Rev Catherine Nicolette. Please feel free to use copyright free for any worthy purpose

Jesus Christ Tells Us How to Behave. . . The Good Samaritan

Jesus inspires us to be kind, considerate and caring of others in this amazing story.
A man is mugged and seriously hurt while travelling.
Jesus' Way - the Christian Way - is to stop and help someone in need.

This sounds easy.
Until it's at night, and you're scared for your own safety yourself.
Or the person who needs help is covered in blood, and may have an infectious illness.
Or the person in need is, to your eyes, neither attractive nor clean.
Or the person needing your help is someone who has harmed you in some way, perhaps in a previous business dealing or sharp words at your expense.

Whatever the challenge, to stop and go out of your way carries its own risk.
Your good intentions may be misunderstood.
Stopping to help save a life at an accident may lead to being involved in enquiries thereafter.
You may lose out financially in helping someone in a difficult time of their life.

So: when faced with someone needing a Good Samaritan in their lives, we need to stop and ask:
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO.
That always seems to be the easy bit.
Now; to do what Jesus would do, within the gifts of our personal culture, gender, abilities, financial status, is the challenge.

Jesus does not expect us to always get it right.
He does not set the highest blueprint and demand that we always be perfect.
So, if you mess up and don't help to the fullest of your ability at any given time of your life due to fear; lack of strength or authority; coercion from others; there is only one thing to do.
Forgive yourself.
And try better next time.

Sometimes we are the Good Samaritan to another.
And sometimes someone else is the Good Samaritan to us.
The point Jesus was trying to make to us is that;
It is the godly Way to assist each other.
It is the godly Way to treat each other as fellow sons and daughters of the Great God.
It is the godly Way not to be selfish, but to treat others with respect, dignity and humanity.

Let's go out there and just do the best we can.
LET US ALL LIGHT THE WORLD WITH THE LOVE OF JESUS.
Strength and blessings to you all!
Rev Catherine Nicolette 

The Holy Bible, The Gospel Writer St Luke, Chapter 10 (Ten), Verses 25 to 37

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus.
"Teacher", he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26 "What is written in the Law?" he replied.
"How do you read it?"
27 He answered; " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' a; and , 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' b "
28 "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?"
30 In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. 
They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33 But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.
Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.
35 The next day he took out two silver coins c and gave them to the innkeeper.
'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

a Reference to The Old Testament (the Torah), the Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 6 verse 5
b Reference to The Old Testament , the Book of Leviticus, Chapter 19 verse 18
c Greek two denarii

IN SHORT, THE LAWYER ASKED JESUS; "WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR, THE ONE I SHOULD HELP?"

JESUS THUS, THROUGH THE PARABLE, REPLIED, "EVERYONE."

See link for The Holy Bible Luke 10;25-37, for the sight impaired there is an audio link
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10%3A25-37&version=NIV

See link for Parable of the Good Samaritan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53Pqw20xK10

With thanks to Biblegateway and Youtube

The Miracle of the Holy Bible

Within the Holy Bible is found the blueprint of being an heir to the Kingdom of God.

Jesus shows the way to holiness, and the way to Heaven.

Why not read the Bible?

See the inspiring

The Miracle of the Holy Bible

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN0cit0XFDs

Wonderful Bible Resource;

http://www.biblegateway.com/

With thanks to Youtube and Biblegateway

Musical Breviary - Great Worship Resource (Daily Office)

Chanted Liturgy of the Hours

See the Beautiful 'Musical Breviary'

Musical Breviary incorporates into the Text and Prayers of the Daily Office 

MP3 recordings of selected Chants.

Choose from the following Worship Resources;

Lauds 

Vespers

Chanted Psalms

Chanted Canticles

See link for this fabulous website

http://musicalbreviary.com/

Photograph taken by Rev Catherine Nicolette. With thanks to the stained glass artist

Living with HIV/Aids - God, can you help?

Dear God,
I have HIV/Aids. Or I have someone in my family who has HIV/Aids.
We are suffering, and need your help.
I feel so alone.
Are you there?

God's answer is 
Of course I am here!
I am here to help you through your darkest hours, and deepest difficulties.
Reach out to me, and let's look at what we can do.

Read my words of comfort which I ensured would be there for you at this time of your need.
"Come to me, all you who are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
This means that I would love for you to come to me, and let me share this burden with you.

You are sick. 
Well, I healed many who were sick, but better than that, I was their friend and comforter in their time of trouble. 
So come to me, sit with me, and let's look at this. 
The very fact that you are sick and suffering means that you, my dearest child, have special attention and love from me.
I always made it clear in the words I inspired in the Scriptures that my children who are suffering, in difficulties and in danger are very close to my heart and only have to call for me to hear them.

So you have received HIV/Aids diagnosis.
There are a number of things you can do. 
Get good medical help, and be sure to take your medicines and treatment. 
There are great medications called Antiretroviral Medications, which are most helpful. 
If you have HIV/Aids, you will need to speak to your partner about your diagnosis, and get good medical advice on how to cope with the situation. 
Illness means that you have to be practical, and thoughtful of others' health.
If you are a pregnant mother, get good guidance from your doctor to lower your risk of infecting your baby.

Now, as to how to cope. 
Is there someone you love, someone who cares for you who will listen to you, and be there for you during this time?
Be aware that I will be there for you anytime at all that you turn to me in prayer.
You can do this. And I will be with you.

Whenever you are feeling lonely or a little scared as you courageously walk your path of illness, there are prayers which may help you feel better.
Psalm 23 tells of the special love I have for you;
"The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He guides me in the paths of righteousness, 
for His Name's sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil.
For you are with me:
Your rod and Your Staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me,
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me,
all the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

Remember my child, you will get through this.
A diagnosis is just that; a diagnosis.
Illness happens to all at some time or another.
What is important is that you have the right help to get you through this difficult time.
And my promise is that I will always - always - be there for you.

Rest in my love.
You can deal with this.
You are my child, are you not? Made in my Image and Likeness.
Your are infinitely precious, my heart's treasure.
Every step you walk in your illness, I will be there with you, watching you.
How could I not?
My Son Jesus also walked the path of pain and difficulty in earthly life, He knows just exactly what it's like.
So be very sure you will never ever be left alone.

Rest in my love, and don't be shy to call to me - anytime - when you're feeling lonely or a little unsure.
I'll be thrilled to be there for you. . .

HIV: The Basics
http://www.thewellproject.org/en_US/HIV_The_Basics/

Mother to Baby Transmission
http://www.aidsmap.com/Mother-to-baby-transmission/page/1044918/

Children & Spirituality - great Resources

Teaching  your children about God?
Want your child to grow up godly and wise?
Minister in Church, wanting to offer families children-friendly worship?
There are excellent resources at 
http://www.themothersunion.org/resources_for_children.aspx

The Individual is not to be Forced to Act in a Manner Contrary to Personal Conscience - Dignitatis Humanae

Psalm 18I  love you, O Lord, my Strength. 

The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer, 

 my God, my Rock in whom I take refuge, 

.

The individual is not to be forced to act in a manner contrary to personal conscience
Many are facing difficulties regarding the perceived overlap between religious freedom and personal civic duty.
Religious Freedom Definition; Freedom of Religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or in private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching practice, worship and observance.
Personal Civic Duty Definition; The responsibilities of a citizen.

What happens when, in the course of personal civic life, an issue arises that the citizen perceives as one which has connotations for personal religious belief?
A personal dilemma ensues, in which the person needs must make a decision as to what action to take.
This action is filtered through the person's conscience.
The Definition of Conscience is an inner feeling or voice viewed as acting as guide to the rightness or wrongness of one's behaviour.

DECLARATION ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM 
DIGNITATIS HUMANAE 
ON THE RIGHT OF THE PERSON AND OF COMMUNITIES 
TO SOCIAL AND CIVIL FREEDOM IN MATTERS RELIGIOUS 
PROMULGATED BY HIS HOLINESS
POPE PAUL VI 
ON DECEMBER 7, 1965

Excerpts from the Prophetic Dignitatis Humanae;

1. A sense of the dignity of the human person has been impressing itself more and more deeply on the consciousness of contemporary man,(1) and the demand is increasingly made that men should act on their own judgment, enjoying and making use of a responsible freedom, not driven by coercion but motivated by a sense of duty . . .

Religious freedom, in turn, which men demand as necessary to fulfill their duty to worship God, has to do with immunity from coercion in civil society . . .

2. This Vatican Council declares that the human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits.

The council further declares that the right to religious freedom has its foundation in the very dignity of the human person as this dignity is known through the revealed word of God and by reason itself.(2) This right of the human person to religious freedom is to be recognized in the constitutional law whereby society is governed and thus it is to become a civil right.

It is in accordance with their dignity as persons-that is, beings endowed with reason and free will and therefore privileged to bear personal responsibility-that all men should be at once impelled by nature and also bound by a moral obligation to seek the truth, especially religious truth. They are also bound to adhere to the truth, once it is known, and to order their whole lives in accord with the demands of truth. However, men cannot discharge these obligations in a manner in keeping with their own nature unless they enjoy immunity from external coercion as well as psychological freedom . . .

3. Further light is shed on the subject if one considers that the highest norm of human life is the divine law-eternal, objective and universal-whereby God orders, directs and governs the entire universe and all the ways of the human community by a plan conceived in wisdom and love. Man has been made by God to participate in this law, with the result that, under the gentle disposition of divine Providence, he can come to perceive ever more fully the truth that is unchanging. Wherefore every man has the duty, and therefore the right, to seek the truth in matters religious in order that he may with prudence form for himself right and true judgments of conscience, under use of all suitable means . . .

On his part, man perceives and acknowledges the imperatives of the divine law through the mediation of conscience. In all his activity a man is bound to follow his conscience in order that he may come to God, the end and purpose of life. It follows that he is not to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his conscience. Nor, on the other hand, is he to be restrained from acting in accordance with his conscience, especially in matters religious. The reason is that the exercise of religion, of its very nature, consists before all else in those internal, voluntary and free acts whereby man sets the course of his life directly toward God. No merely human power can either command or prohibit acts of this kind.(3)

11. . . .He acknowledged the power of government and its rights, when He commanded that tribute be given to Caesar: but He gave clear warning that the higher rights of God are to be kept inviolate: "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's" (Matt. 22:21).

12. . . .Thus the leaven of the Gospel has long been about its quiet work in the minds of men, and to it is due in great measure the fact that in the course of time men have come more widely to recognize their dignity as persons, and the conviction has grown stronger that the person in society is to be kept free from all manner of coercion in matters religious.

Exegesis;
Pope Paul VI directly addressed the right of the individual and communities to Social and Civil Freedom in matters Religious.
The Prophetic Pope affirms the following;
Contemporary people have a sense of their own dignity.
The demand was increasingly made that the individual should act on own judgement with responsible freedom.
The individual should be free from coercion when acting on own judgement, and should be motivated by a sense of duty (sense of responsibility).
The individual is not to be forced to act in a manner contrary to personal conscience.
The individual has the right to religious freedom.
Immunity from external coercion and psychological freedom is needed when searching for truth, especially religious truth.
The highest norm of human life is the divine law whereby God orders and governs the universe.

When making decisions in daily life, each person needs to weigh up personal decisions to be made in the light of his or her own personal informed conscience. 
Sometimes a situation may arise which reflects a change in societal norms, and this may challenge the individual with situations arising therefrom.
It is important to remember Jesus the Master's Teaching; "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's."
To God we owe our allegiance and obedience to His Word according to our own conscience.
If our conscience strongly advises us not to participate in an action or situation which would go against our deepest and most cherished religious beliefs, then we must need follow our conscience in all things that do not lead to sin.

We individually, and we alone, will stand before Almighty God at the Judgement Seat
No one can make that decision for us. We individually, and we alone, will stand before Almighty God at the Judgement Seat after we make our journey from this life to the next.
We need thus to protect our eternal destiny and make informed and wise decisions in this world which we can calmly accept as the best decisions to have made, when we speak to God in the next world.
As Pope Paul VI has guided us in Dignitatis Humanae, we cannot abrogate the right to another to make our personal decisions for us.
We - individuals made in the Image and Likeness of Almighty God - must make decisions that will bear up to the standards God set for us when He made us like Him.
Sometimes we are faced with a situation- in which our spiritual and practical duty is clear to us in line with our conscience - when we feel the difficulties of possible coercion from external factors to change our mind.

God, the end and purpose of life
Our duty is clear.
In all activity an individual needs to follow personal conscience in order to come to God, the end and purpose of life.
It follows that the individual may not be forced to act in a manner contrary to personal conscience, especially in matters religious.
The reason is that the exercise of religion consists in internal, voluntary and free acts whereby the individual sets the course of personal life directly toward God. 
Dignitatis Humanae affirms that no merely human power can either command or prohibit acts of this kind.
We thus need to follow our informed and balanced conscience in matters religious, when our decisions do not lead to sin.


NOTES
1. Cf. John XXIII, encycl. "Pacem in Terris", April 11, 1963: AAS 55 (1963) p. 279; ibid., p. 265; Pius XII, radio message, Dec. 24, 1944: AAS 37 (1945), p. 14.

2. Cf. John XXIII, encycL "Pacem in Terris", April 11, 1963: AAS 55 (1963), pp. 260-261; Pius XII, radio message, Dec. 24, 1942: AAS 35 (1943), p. 19; Pius XI, encycl. "Mit Brennender Sorge", March 14, 1937: AAS 29 (1937), p. 160; Leo XIII, encycl. "Libertas Praestantissimum", June 20, 1888: Acts of Leo XIII 8 (1888), p. 237-238.

3. Cf. John XXIII, encycl. "Pacem in Terris", April 11, 1963: AAS 55 (1963), p. 270; Paul VI, radio message, Dec. 22, 1964: AAS 57 (1965), pp. 181-182.

Declaration on Religious Freedom 'Dignitatis Humanae'
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651207_dignitatis-humanae_en.html

Do you want to leave the Abortion Industry? Here is help

Workers in Abortion Industry are Impacted by Abortion
Reaching out to assist Abortion Clinic Workers leave the Industry
In June 2012, Abby Johnson and her husband started the 'And Then There Were None' Ministry.
This Ministry reaches out to assist abortion clinic workers to leave the industry.
ATTWN assists abortion clinic workers through four integral aspects; emotional, spiritual, legal and financial.
Abortion workers in the industry are faced with practical issues if they wish to leave the industry.

Personal situation interwoven in praxis of the industry
Often their personal financial situation is interwoven in the praxis of this industry, and if the abortion industry worker decides to leave, there are practical issues to face:
- Am I qualified to do another type of work?
- If I am not qualified for other work, what other work can I train in?
- Will my link to abortion industry work have an effect on my application for other work?
- How will I support myself/ my family while I am undergoing the transition from abortion industry work to another career?
- If I have to take a severe reduction in payment in my new type of work, how will I pay mortgage/ electricity and lights/ car expenses if relevant/ school fees or university fees of children if relevant/ food costs/ medical costs/ loans?
- Will I need counselling after leaving the Abortion Industry?
 Will I receive help with facing regrets and pursuing a new spiritual and emotional life post abortion industry?
- I may lose many meaningful friendships within the abortion industry if I leave.
What assistance will I have to assist me to make the transition to building a new group of friends post abortion industry?
How will I cope with losing an entire circle of relationships, my job, my income as I move to a post abortion industry situation?
- Possibly my partner or family weren't aware of my close links in the abortion industry.
How do I cope with this situation?
- I wish to begin worship in a spiritual community/church, or wish to relink into my former spiritual community/church.
How do I go about this?
- Will there be a dislocation in my emotional and psychological life, as I break from one entrenched way of life, trying to build another life? Will I be able to do it? Where can I get help in the post-dislocation time?
- How can I deal with my post-abortion industry work regrets?
Is there anyone who can help me?

The above are just some of the questions which an abortion worker may face upon deciding to leave the industry.
There are surely many more.
Abby Johnson and those who minister with her in 'ATTWN' reach out to abortion workers to assist them to leave the industry.

New development
Since Mrs Johnson and her team begain ATTWN in June 2012, they budgeted to help 12 people in the span of a year.
After one year, God has blessed the ministry abundantly, and ATTWN now have up to 79 workers being assisted.
The success of the ministry has necessitated that Mrs Johnson and Ms Jennie Stone, ATTWN's Operations Director hire three part-time employees.
Mrs Johnson and Ms Stone do not take a paycheck from the ministry, however, as anyone who has worked in volunteer charity knows, finances are needed to help carry out an effective ministry.
Due to the high numbers of people contacting ATTWN for assistance, the ministry requires financial assistance/donations to meet the challenges of the numbers applying for assistance to leave the abortion industry.

Wanting to leave the abortion industry? Here is help
ATTWN reach out to abortion industry workers with the following words;
'You didn't want to grow up wanting to work in an abortion clinic.
Maybe you just needed a job to help pay the bills.
Maybe you or someone you care about has experienced an abortion.
Whatever choices in your life brought you to where you are right now, realise that this is not your full potential.
You deserve better than this.
We can help.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE,
LEGAL PROTECTION,
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT &
SPIRITUAL HEALING
are available to you as you transition out of the abortion industry.
It is free.
It is confidential.
ATTWN offers the following confidentially and free of charge:
- up to three months of financial support after a worker resigns
- emotional support during the transition time
- a spiritual advisor of the former worker's choosing
- legal counsel to protect the worker's interests during transition.
If you are in need of the services of this ministry, contact us immediately.

We are here for you. We care.
http://www.attwn.org/ '

Resources for Sidewalk Counselors
http://www.attwn.org/for-sidewalk-counselors/

Abortion Worker? My Letter to You
http://www.attwn.org/abortion-worker/

Report an Incident at your Clinic
http://www.attwn.org/abortion-worker/report-an-incident/

In the spirit of La Lumière du Christ (the Light of Christ) is there anything you can do to help?

IF YOU WISH TO DONATE TO THIS WORTHY CAUSE
http://www.attwn.org/donate/

Contact Details ATTWN
http://www.attwn.org/contact-us/

The JesusWalk Bible Study Series

How did Jesus train His disciples?
He called them to walk with Him, be with Him, witness what He did.
He called the disciples to be His helpers, and talk over His teachings with Him.
Jesus had a deeply interactive Ministry with His disciples.

Today many feel the call to be His disciple, yet do not know where to turn to learn about the Son of God.
If you wish to study the Bible deeply, thoughtfully and personally, there is a wonderful online Resource;

http://www.jesuswalk.com/

Please click into the above link for further information.
Blessings on your walk of faith.

The issue of Funding Good Works, and the Question that is Often Asked

The issue of funding good works from Funds is one which was well known in Jesus' time.
The religious authorities of His day engaged in fundraising from the devout faithful in order to continue the works of the Temple.

The goal for which the Temple Treasury was meant was a good one - the religious, spiritual and good works of the day.
In response Jesus fashioned a whip of cords and used it with skill to drive out the animals; He scattered the money and overturned the tables. 
He took issue not with the goal of doing good for God and His people, but with the tainted means by which the funding was being provided.

Today people of religious belief are faced at times with the question of funding.
The question often asked is; Do we have the moral right to query the greater good of financing global works of compassion and assistance in Jesus' Name, because the funding is procured by means which are not free of negative connotation?

We must turn to the Master for His Guidance through the Word on this matter.
He overturned the tables and challenged His People to return to the original vision God The Father had for we His People. (Holy Bible, New Testament, The Gospel of John Chapter 21, verses 15 to 17).
Jesus gave us clear guidance as to how to use money on earth;
"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Holy Bible, New Testament, The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 6, verse 24.

It therefore follows that - as we follow Jesus' clear example and Words of guidance - we must be faithful in seeking the greater good of global works of mercy and compassion by untainted means of procured funding.

Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Sacred Heart Novena

See link 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDIlMuT5dJo

Photograph taken by Rev Catherine Nicolette of Devotional Picture

symbolising Jesus of Nazareth

Who is the most important person in your life at this moment?

Often we tend to think of people in positions of great authority and power as being the most important people at the time in our society.
And yet ... who is the most important person in your life at this moment?

When we are in an institute and come up to the top of the queue with a query about our anxieties, we are dependent on the personnel behind the desk at that moment.

The way he or she treats us and our query leaves us feeling either empowered and assisted, or humiliated and disrespected.

For each of us, when we collapse and fall gravely ill and are unable to move or self-help, the most important person who wields the greatest power in our lives is the person who is near us at the time. 

When we are a child, our guardian is the most important person in our life at that moment.
The way we are treated can have profound impact on our lives and emotions.

When we are at school, the teacher is the most important person in our life at that moment.

When we are at work, our boss is the most important person in our life at that moment.

How we are treated by the person wielding power in our life at a particular moment can have profound impact - for good or bad.

And just as others have power over us, we have power over others.

At work. In our family. Over our children. Over our life partner. 
How do we use this power?

Years ago, I saw the picture of two young boys. One had his arm protectively around his younger brother's shoulders. The message under the picture read;
I may forget what you did.
I may forget what you said.
I will never forget how you made me feel.

Let us use our power over others to bring them
Happiness
Ease in their difficult times
Love and the bedrock of our faithfulness to them in their lives.