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NEWS BRIEFS
– Tej Francis
ROME
SYNOD TACKLES SEXUALITY, ROLE OF WOMEN AND ABUSE CRISIS
(Crux) After a brief shout-out for the “communal and fraternal” atmosphere within the summit of bishops, speakers at a press briefing in the Vatican on Tuesday acknowledged that sexuality, the abuse crisis and the role of women in the Church are burning topics for many young people today.
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SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL AND THE FALLEN ANGELS – Pope calls for spiritual battle
CAPTION: Altar of Archangel Michael (c 1510), Gerard David, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria
– Miguel Augusto (*)
Pope Francis warned that “the boat of the Church is hit by contrary and violent winds,” and has launched for October – a month especially dedicated to the Rosary – a strong appeal to prayer, namely against Satan, the number one enemy of the Church and of all Christians. The appeal calls on the faithful from every continent to pray the Holy Rosary every day, asking the Virgin Mary and St Michael the Archangel to protect the Church from the enemy in these difficult times. The Pope asked to add in the prayer of the Rosary the prayer “Sub tuum praesidium” (“We fly to your protection”) to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the prayer to St Michael the Archangel (composed by Pope Leo XIII). Bishop Stephen Lee has joined the Pope in this appeal, addressing the local community on 5th October. What do we know about Saint Michael the Archangel and other angelic entities?
WE WANT EVERY CHILD TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO GROW UP IN A FAMILY – Juliana Devoy, Director of the Good Shepherd Centre
PHOTO: Ana Marques
She became, in the Special Administrative Region, the face of the fight against human trafficking and was one of the most active voices in the defense of a law that could actually protect the victims of domestic violence. At 81, Juliana Devoy says that Macau gave her the opportunity to help the others in a way that would be unthinkable anywhere else. The director of the Good Shepherd Centre claims, nevertheless, that there is still a lot to do help Macau to become a just city. The fight for a more human process of adoption is Juliana Devoy’s next battle.
TALKS BY INTEGRITY RESTORED TEAM FROM AMERICA – Overcoming Pornography
To promote the culture of chastity against pornographic influence, the Catholic Diocese of Macau is inviting a world renowned speaker from America to deliver a series of talks on “Overcoming Pornography,” on 1-2 November 2018, featuring Fr Sean Kilcawley from Integrity Restored. There will be a total of 4 talks targeting parents, youth, teachers and social workers, and clergy and religious. Fr Kilcawley is an experienced expert on marriage, family, and sex addiction treatment, and has been travelling around the US promoting chastity values and practical tips to parents, priests and professionals. Their online platform has provided numerous valuable information to help many people resisting the pornographic culture and live a healthy life.
THE REASON I AM HERE – Eucharist and Mission
– Fr Victor Mejia
The month of October is traditionally called “missionary month.” In his message for Mission Sunday (21 October), the Holy Father says that each one of us is called to reflect on this fact: “I am a mission on this Earth; that is the reason why I am here in this world.” This year, the month of October coincides with the Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (taking place in Rome from 3 to 28 October) with the theme “Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment.” Reflecting about mission we are invited to understand the meaning and the origin of mission… Thus this reflection offered by Fr Victor Mejia (Comboni Missionary) during the monthly retreat of the priests in Macau.
ASK THE LITURGIST (15) – The Birth of Christ at midnight
– Enrico Finotti
The hour of midnight as the hour of Christ’s birth is also indicated in some mystics. It’s true?
Some mystical testimonies, which declare the ‘midnight’ as the hour of the birth of the Savior, cannot be excluded.
BITE-SIZE THEOLOGY (3) – Do I need religion?
Featured Photo: JMO Mandía
– Rev José Mario O Mandía
Apologetics, as we have seen, strives to use reason in order to find the answer to three major questions:
(1) Why should I profess any religion at all? (religious demonstration)
(2) Why should I be a Christian? (Christian demonstration)
(3) Why should I be Catholic? (Catholic demonstration)
LEAVE THE GOODS AND YOU’LL HAVE THE GOOD – 14th October 2018 – 28th Sunday In Ordinary Time (B)
WIS 7:7-11; HEB 4:12-13; MK 10:17-30
– Fernando Armellini SCJ
Claretian Publications, Macau
The gospel presents a just and blameless person seeking for eternal life. Jesus responds with a counter question that can be paraphrased thus: You already have “an outstanding teacher, God” who instructs you through the Scriptures. What else do you want? Is it not written: “They shall all be taught by God” (Jn 6:45)? Then, to help him in his quest, he reminds him of the precepts which the Lord has revealed to his people and which are the minimum requirement for admission to life.
