Another priest killed for armed robbery

Medellin (Agenzia Fides) - "With pain and discomfort, the Archdiocese of Medellín expresses its deep sense of sorrow for the violent death of Father Andrés Duque Echeverry on October 3, 2014". This is what is stated in the press release of the Archdiocese of Medellin , of which a copy was sent to Fides Agency, regarding the violent death of another priest in Colombia, in Medellin. Fr. Andrés’ funeral was celebrated on Saturday, October 4, with the participation of the auxiliary Bishops of the archdiocese and many other priests.

Father Andrés Duque Echeverry was ordained a priest on November 25, 1995, and served the parish of San Buenaventura, located in the municipality of Bello for 4 years. "We deplore these facts that threaten human life, we implore God that these painful events do not happen ever again in our city" says the statement of the Archdiocese.
An initial police report refers that father Andrés was the victim of a robbery which ended badly, and was stabbed at the exit of the underground. His body was taken to the morgue and his identification was delayed because he had been robbed of everything, including documents and other personal belongings. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 06/10/2014)

Mary TV Daily Reflection 10/6/2014

   
(c)Mary TV 2014 

     

J.M.J

October 6, 2014

St. Bruno, Blessed Marie Rose Durocher

Dear Family of Mary!

October 2, 2014

"Dear children, with motherly love I implore you, love one another. May there be, in you, hearts, as my Son desired from the very beginning, love for the Heavenly Father and for your neighbor in the first place - above everything of this world...."

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?"

Jesus answered, "The first is, `Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that he is one, and there is no other but he; and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." (Mt 12:28-34)

Jesus spoke simply and directly to the scribes who asked him this question. He was able to condense the whole of the Old Testament into these few words. This is because these words came directly from His Sacred Heart. Jesus was the living demonstration of the Great Commandments. He loves His Father above all else, with all of his strength of mind and heart. And His intense love for the Father directed Him to love all men with the love He had in His heart for himself. This was expressed on the Cross, when He offered His life for the very men whose sins were crucifying Him. The Great Commandment are embodied in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Adam and Eve were created to participate in these Great Commandments, the love of God and neighbor. They were given everything they needed in Eden, including the company of the Father. And yet they were not able to comprehend the great love to which they were invited. And they fell. And so the Son came into the world to atone for their and our fall, and to reintroduce this great love into the hearts of men.

We are being given a second chance. We are being given a "re-do". We can learn to love like Jesus loves, if we surrender to Him and take the hand of Our Mother. This is the great opportunity set before each human being on earth. To Love!!! Thank you, Mother, for helping us to respond to the love of your Son. Help us still and never stop helping us.

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Cathy Nolan

©Mary TV 2014

PS. "Fruit of Medjugorje" Tonight!! 8:00 pm EDT 

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
www.marytv.tv

 

Father Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR, passed away on October 3rd at 11 PM.

Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR, rest in peace

Father Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR, passed away on October 3rd at 11 PM.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may he rest in peace!

We have posted a Fr. Benedict page on our website found here:
http://franciscanfriars.com/father-benedict/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fatherbenedict/

To make a memorial offering in honor of Fr. Benedict click here

Details for the wake and funeral will be forth coming.

Press Release PDF here

Statement from the friars PDF here

STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF FATHER BENEDICT J. GROESCHEL

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The Catholic Church and the Franciscan family lost a giant today. This moment is one that finds the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR) with mixed emotions, as we are deeply saddened by the loss of Fr. Benedict but also relieved that God has set him free from the physical and mental suffering he has experienced over the past decade.
The world knew Father Benedict as a priest, teacher, evangelist, retreat master, and a steadfast defender of and advocate for the Catholic Church that he loved so much. The members of his religious family saw all these things in him, too. But even more, we were also blessed to know him as a father who cared for each of us, a father who was always accessible when we needed him and always glad to see us when we came to visit.
The words of a fellow Franciscan, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, describing St. Francis, characterize Fr. Benedict well, “His intuition of a universal brotherhood, extending to every creature, accompanied by his choice of minority, turn him and his followers into the brothers of every person, the enemies of none, and the companions of the least ones.”
Fr. Benedict was a brother and a father to everyone he encountered. In a world often overwhelmed with darkness, he was a man filled with hope, a hope that he shared with both the rich and poor alike. His love for others and deep desire to serve, sent him among poor families who were in need of assistance, young people trying to find their way, bishops faced with challenging decisions, priests and religious in need of an encouraging word, and the stranger who was far from God. Fr. Benedict was at home in every circumstance and every encounter. “The providence of God,” he would say, “was the mystery of God reaching out at every moment and revealing his love and presence to us all.”
It is not an exaggeration to say that Fr. Benedict was selfless. Those who knew him well understood that it was simply his nature to be so. He poured himself out for others no matter what the cost—and sometimes the cost to him was very great. To have known him was to have been helped by him and even loved by him.  Our CFR Family and everyone who knew him received an enormous amount from Fr. Benedict—probably more than we were ever able to give back. It was not simply his wealth of wisdom and knowledge from which many benefited. It was his profound faith and equally profound love, two gifts that he never failed to share generously.
Join with us in praying for the repose of the soul of Fr. Benedict, for his family and Community, and also in thanksgiving for the legacy of renewal within the Church and Franciscan family that Fr. Benedict championed.

###

FATHER BENEDICT J. GROESCHEL, DEVOTED RELIGIOUS AND PRIEST, DIES AT 81

Groeschel Moved Many With His Sincere Faith, Towering Intellect, Passionate Preaching, and Commitment to the Poor

_

Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, beloved priest and preacher, died on October 3, 2014, the vigil of the Feast of St. Francis, after complications with an ongoing illness. He was 81.
Fr. Benedict was a founder of the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR), a reform community started in 1987 by eight Capuchin Friars based in New York City. A priest and psychologist, he was director of Trinity Retreat House in Larchmont, New York, and also taught Pastoral Psychology for many years at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie. Fr. Benedict was a popular writer, preacher, retreat master, and evangelist on Catholic television. His greatest joy was serving the poor and underprivileged.  Founder of St. Francis House and Good Counsel Homes, he also served as chaplain at Children’s Village in Dobbs Ferry for 14 years. Always deeply concerned with the welfare of others, he tirelessly provided food, clothing, and assistance to people in need—people he always considered his friends.
Father Benedict is survived by his sister, Marjule Drury, several nieces and nephews, 115 CFR brothers and priests, and 31sisters who were inspired by his authentic witness to religious life and devotion to Jesus and His Church.
Wrote Fr. John Paul Ouellette, Community Servant, Franciscan Friars of the Renewal: “We are deeply saddened by the death of Fr. Benedict. He was an example to us all. His fidelity and service to the Church and commitment to our Franciscan way of life will have a tremendous impact for generations to come.”
Details for the wake and funeral will be forth comin

Father Steve's Apartment

We just got a call from an alcoholic treatment center that a priest we are sponsoring there needs to fly home and move his things out of his apartment.  Father Steve is now living five states away from his apartment because the temptation to abuse alcohol at his “old haunts” is too strong for him.  The center doesn’t want him going without us to escort him, and being there to help him arrange for his personal belongings to be brought back to the center in a trailer and put in storage.  We figure the cost will be about $2,000 after plane tickets, gas, lodging for two nights and vehicle rental.  We don’t have the funds readily available to help Father Steve, so if you can afford it, please consider making a donation now for the urgent care of Father Steve.

You can make an online donation for Father Steve at www.opusbono.org.

Or, by mailing a check to: Opus Bono Sacerdotii, PO Box 663, Oxford, MI 48371

According to the center staff we need to do this ASAP, so your help now would be greatly appreciated.  Father Steve wishes to thank you in advance for your love and support of him in his time of desperate need.

Joe

Joe Maher
President, joemaher@opusbono.org
(313) 937-6305

Opus Bono is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and all donations made in the USA are tax deductible.

Please consider sharing this with your friends, thank you!

From The Friars eLetter: Happy Feast of Saint Francis!

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Happy Feast of Saint Francis!   Perfect paradox This little poor humble man, magnified the LORD!     The friars would like to thank all of you for the love and support! May Our Holy Father Saint Francis intercede for us so that we may, like Our Lady, magnify the LORD with our little lives! You have our prayers as well.   + the friars   --------------------------------------------------- We need your help! Donate here.

[Video] A Death Which is Life

A Death Which Is Life A Death Which Is Life apostleshipofprayer Reflection for 10/4/14 http://youtu.be/5lZE3TxPTdI www.apostleshipofpra­yer.org

Religious Groups Say Louisiana Ruling Unconstitutional, Violates Seal of Confession

Religious Groups Say Louisiana Ruling Unconstitutional, Violates Seal of Confession   Contact: Jon Sorensen, 619-387-7200 EL CAJON, Calif., Oct., 2, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- A group of religious organizations have filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that a recent ruling in Louisiana is unconstitutional and violates the seal of confession. "This is an outrage," said Jimmy Akin, a spokesman for Catholic Answers, one of the groups filing the brief. "The state of Louisiana is trying to compel a priest to break one of his most sacred duties, which is to ensure the confidentiality of information given to him in the confessional." The case in question involves a confession made to Fr. Jeffrey Bayhi of the Diocese of Baton Rogue in 2008. In that confession, a 14-year old girl stated that a now-deceased parishioner made sexual advances to her, including inappropriate touching and kissing. The parents of the girl later sued Fr. Bayhi and the Diocese of Baton Rogue because he did not report what he learned in the confessional to civil authorities. While an appeals court upheld Fr. Bayhi's action, the Louisiana Supreme Court reversed and vacated the decision. "Because the information was related in the sacrament of confession, Fr. Bayhi was prohibited from disclosing it to anyone due to the 'seal of confession,'" Akin explained. "The seal protects the confidentiality of those going to confession by ensuring that what they say will never be revealed. In the Church's law, the seal is absolutely inviolable, and any priest who violates it is automatically excommunicated and forbidden to function as a priest. This is one reason that the Louisiana court's decision is unconstitutional." In the 2011 Hosanna-Tabor case, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the First Amendment of the Constitution prevents the government from interfering with religious groups' freedom to select their own ministers. The brief Catholic Answers and other groups filed with the U.S. Supreme Court explains that, because any priest who violates the seal of confession is excommunicated and unable to act as a priest, "the action of the state of Louisiana would coerce priests into doing acts that will disqualify them from ministry in the Catholic Church and thus directly impact who the Church is able to appoint and retain as its ministers, in violation of Hosanna-Tabor." In addition to Catholic Answers, groups signing the brief include Catholic Action for Faith and Family, the Catholic League, Priests for Life, and John Paul the Great Catholic University. Also signing were as non-Catholic groups including Gospel of Life Ministries, National Pro-Life Religious Council, National Clergy Council, Faith and Action, and Charismatic Episcopal Church for Life. Catholic Answers is the largest lay-run group in America devoted to explaining and defending the Catholic Faith. Its web site is www.catholic.com.

Pope calls Mideast envoys to Vatican as Islamic State advances

Tribulation Times

October 2, 2014  

(1Pe 5:8-9) Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist ye, strong in faith: knowing that the same affliction befalls, your brethren who are in the world.

CRISIS MAGAZINE: It’s Time to Take the Islamic State Seriously

AMERICAN THINKER: Is Baghdad about to fall to ISIS?

AINA COMMENTARY: Where Islam Treads, It Leaves a Desert

MORE: UNESCO Confirms ISIS Funding Terrorism by Selling Artifacts

NEWS REPORT: Pope calls Mideast envoys to Vatican as Islamic State advances

Pope Francis, who has expressed alarm over the rise of Islamic State militants and the plight of Christians in the Middle East, has summoned his envoys in the region to a rare meeting to discuss a response to the crisis, the Vatican said on Tuesday.

The Oct. 2-4 gathering will include Vatican ambassadors to Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Israel and the Palestinians as well as representatives to the United Nations and the European Union.

They will hold talks with more than a dozen top Vatican officials, including Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who addressed the United Nations on the Middle East crisis on Monday.

Earlier this month during a visit to predominantly Muslim Albania, Francis issued a strong criticism of Islamist militants, saying no religious group which used violence and oppression could claim to be "the armor of God."

Islamic State has declared a "caliphate" in the territories it controls in Syria and Iraq and has killed or driven out large numbers of Christians, Shi'ite Muslims and others who do not subscribe to its hardline version of Sunni Islam.

Asked about Islamic State last month when returning from a trip to South Korea, Francis endorsed action by the international community to stop "unjust aggression."

Parolin, the Vatican's top diplomat, told the the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday that it was "both licit and urgent to stop aggression through multilateral action and a proportionate use of force."

Islamic State is battling Shi'ite-backed governments in both Iraq and Syria, as well as other Sunni groups in Syria and Kurdish groups in both countries, as part of complex, multi-sided civil wars in which nearly every country in the Middle East has a stake.

RELATED: Leaders in inter-faith dialogue stand up to abuse of religion to justify violent conflict

LIFESITENEWS: Pope Benedict was right about Islam at Regensburg. The world owes him an apology

St. Gertrude's Guardian Angel Prayer
O most holy angel of God, appointed by God to be my guardian, I give you thanks for all the benefits which you have ever bestowed on me in body and in soul. I praise and glorify you that you condescended to assist me with such patient fidelity, and to defend me against all the assaults of my enemies. Blessed be the hour in which you were assigned me for my guardian, my defender and my patron. In acknowledgement and return for all your loving ministries to me, I offer you the infinitely precious and noble heart of Jesus, and firmly purpose to obey you henceforward, and most faithfully to serve my God. Amen.

BLOG: Padre Pio on Guardian Angels

The Desert Fathers: sayings of the Early Christian Monks: Discretion

72. She also said, 'It is good not to be angry. If it happens, do not give way to it for as much as one day.'

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Prayer request?  Send an email to: PrayerRequest3@aol.com

This month's archive can be found at: http://www.catholicprophecy.info/news2.html.

October 2, 2014 Message from Our Lady of Medjugorje

(c)Mary TV 2014        J.M.J October 2, 2014 Feast of the Guardian Angels Dear Family of Mary! Here is the message from Our Lady of Medjugorje given through Mirjana today: October 2, 2014 "Dear children, with motherly love I implore you, love one another. May there be in you hearts, as my Son desired from the very beginning, love for the Heavenly Father and for your neighbor in the first place - above everything of this world. My dear children, do you not recognize the signs of the times? Do you not recognize that all of this that is around you, all that is happening, is because there is no love? Comprehend that salvation is in true values. Accept the might of the Heavenly Father, love Him and honor Him. Walk in the footsteps of my Son. You, my children, my dear apostles, you are always gathering around me anew, because you are thirsty. You thirst for peace, love and happiness. Drink out of my hands. My hands are offering to you my Son who is the spring of clear water. He will bring your faith back to life and purify your hearts, because my Son loves pure hearts and pure hearts love my Son. Only pure hearts are humble and have firm faith. I ask for such hearts of you, my children. My Son told me that I am the mother of the entire world. I ask of those of you who accept me as such to help me, with your life, prayer and sacrifice, for all of my children to accept me as a mother - so that I may lead them to the spring of the clear water. Thank you. My dear children, as your shepherds offer you the Body of my Son with their blessed hands, always in your hearts give thanks to my Son for the sacrifice and for the shepherds that He always gives you anew."     In Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Cathy Nolan Mary TV PS.  Let's receive this message and pray over it this weekend.  My next reflection will for Monday, October 6!!!

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world." Saint John Paul II Be connected! www.marytv.tv

Massacre of children in Homs; three Christians kidnapped in the province of Hassaké

ASIA/SYRIA -

Alawites celebrating at a festival in Banyas, Syria

Homs (Agenzia Fides) – At least 41 children were killed due to the double attack carried out yesterday that devastated the area surrounding a school in Homs, in the urban area controlled by government forces. The massacre was one of the most severe in terms of children who died since the beginning of the conflict in Syria. According to official Syrian sources, a car bomb and a suicide bomber caused two explosions when the children came out of school, in the suburb of Akrameh inhabited mainly by Alawites, with the targeted intention to cause the highest number possible of deaths among children of the same religious community to which the Assad family belong.
Meanwhile yesterday, local sources confirmed, to the Assyrian Human Rights Watch, the abduction of three Christians in the city of Tel Tamar, in the north-eastern province of Hassaké. The kidnapping has been attributed to the jihadist faction that has its stronghold in the nearby city of Raqqah. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 02/10/2014)

[Video] Guardian Angels

Guardian Angels Guardian Angels apostleshipofprayer Reflection for 10/2/14 http://youtu.be/mqsalES_OA8 www.apostleshipofpra­yer.org

Mary TV Daily Reflection 10/2/2014 - Feast of the Guardian Angels

 
(c)Mary TV 2014 

     

J.M.J

October 2, 2014

Feast of the Guardian Angels

Dear Family of Mary!

"Dear children! Also today I call you to also be like the stars, which by their light give light and beauty to others so they may rejoice. Little children, also you be the radiance, beauty, joy and peace - and especially prayer - for all those who are far from my love and the love of my Son Jesus. Little children, witness your faith and prayer in joy, in the joy of faith that is in your hearts; and pray for peace, which is a precious gift from God. Thank you for having responded to my call." (September 25, 2014)

On this beautiful day, we honor our Guardian Angels, those faithful companions who accompany us throughout our whole life, praying for us, running interference for us as we stumble our way through life, and protecting us from the evil one. They are tireless servants. They love us with the love of God. They watch over us as their only charge. And most often we do not even remember they are with us. They go un-thanked and unnoticed.

Let us be among those who thank their angels, who talk to them, who ask them for help and include them in the spiritual battles of life. We will not regret it. They will be faithful partners in our struggle for the good!

Here is an ancient prayer to our Guardian Angel, found in the Akathist Prayer Book (and published in Magnificat, October 2014). Let us call upon our angels and rejoice in their presence!!

O Angel of God, my holy Guardian, keep my life in the fear of Christ God, strengthen my mind in the true way and wound my soul with heavenly love, so that guided by you, I may obtain the great mercy of Christ God....

Grant me, your servant, O Savior, worthily to sing a song and to praise the fleshless Angel, my Guide and Guardian.

Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me....

Guide my mind by your prayer to fulfill the commandments of God, and to receive from God remission of sins, and teach me to hate all wickedness, I pray you....

All my thoughts and my soul I have committed to you, O my Guardian; deliver me from all attacks of the enemy.

Holy Angel, my Guardian, pray for me....

When the enemy troubles and tramples on me, uphold me, O holy one; and especially, O my Guide, forsake me not when I am dying...

Grant me to sing with thanksgiving and fervor to my Creator and God, and to you my good Angel Guardian: O my deliverer, rescue me from foes that trouble me...

From the love of my soul I cry to you, O Guardian of my soul, my most holy Angel! Protect and guard me always, and guide me to the heavenly life; teach me and enlighten me and strengthen me. Amen

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Cathy Nolan

©Mary TV 2014

PS. Mary TV will stream the October 2nd apparition to Mirjana, Live! www.marytv.tv 

October 2, 2014 

LIVE streaming begins at 8:00am Medjugorje time  

(2:00am EDT in the US) 

Apparition at approximately 8:45am Medjugorje time  

(2:45am EDT in the USA)

  (Wednesday night or early Thursday morning in the USA).  

"Medjugorje is the spiritual center of the world."
Saint John Paul II
Be connected!
www.marytv.tv

These Stone Walls: A Shower of Roses

These Stone Walls relives a moment with Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and her promise of a Shower of Roses, and defers to a young woman’s wisdom on the gift of life. Please share: "Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and the Gift of Life."

--
Sent on behalf of 

These Stone Walls

www.TheseStoneWalls.com

October 2014 Monthly Message from Anne, a lay apostle

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here   We continue our cycle of monthly messages for 2014 with the message from October 1, 2006 for our prayer groups and personal reflection.       October 1, 2006 (2014)   Jesus   My children, I am with you. Your God, your Creator, speaks this message in so many ways. In every daybreak you must hear My voice saying, ‘I am with you.’ When tempted toward despair because of crosses and hardships, you must hear Me whispering, ‘I am with you.’ When you look at the work you must do and find it overwhelming, allow me to move you gently into it with perfect assurance that ‘I am with you.’ Dearest apostles, so brave, I am with you. I do not tell you that you will be overcome. I do not tell you that you have been given work that is impossible for you to complete. Those messages do not come from Me. Instead, I tell you that you will persevere and ultimately triumph. Our mission of mercy does not falter, even though the steps of my little apostles sometimes falter. This mission pushes through the world with a steadiness that defies all attempts against it. My apostles experience fear at times. This is not a problem for Me or this mission. Fear is to be expected. Bring your fear to Me and explain to Me exactly what threatens you. If you do this, I can remove your fear. I will convince you that in My presence, with My power, everything is possible. You have an expectation of your little boat crashing against rocks. I will never allow this. If I am steering the boat that is your work, you will be carried safely. Push on into each day with courage, understanding that while you may not be able, I am able. You may lack courage, but I have courage. You sometimes walk in darkness, but I have the light with which to see exactly where your footsteps are taking you. Dear apostles, it is a time for hard work, yes, but a time for great glory, also. Rejoice. I am with you.          Direction For Our Times relies on donations to supplement the cost of publishing the messages. Currently, only 40% of the publishing cost is covered by the sale of the books. Thank you for your prayerful consideration. Direction for Our Times (DFOT) is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to spreading God's messages as revealed in the Volumes.

Padre Pio Newsletter #61

Padre Pio Newsletter # 61

"Keep your eyes fixed on Him who is your guide to the heavenly country,
where He is leading you. What does it matter to you whether Jesus wishes
to guide you to Heaven by way of the desert or by the meadow, so long as
He is always with you and you arrive at the possession of a blessed eternity?"   - St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Dear friend of Padre Pio,

Our latest Padre Pio newsletter, Issue 61, titled "Padre Pio - Director of Souls" is now online.  Follow this link to read the newsletter:
padrepiodevotions.org/issue-61-october-december-2014/

If you have any trouble opening the link, simply go the the website at www.saintpio.org and click on the "Newsletter" tab.

After opening Issue 61, be sure to click on the small red icon at the top of the page which says "download newsletter" in order to read and/or print out your own copy in newsletter format.


Peace and blessings,

Diane and Deacon Ron Allen

Each week we post inspirational stories of Padre Pio on our Padre Pio Facebook and Google + pages:

Facebook.com/PadrePioDevotions
Google +/Padre Pio Devotions

Our Padre Pio Devotions Books:

Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry: True Stories of Padre Pio Book I
Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry: True Stories of Padre Pio Book II
by Diane Allen