Prayer for Peace in the Middle East

God Our Creator, who made the earth a peaceful garden,help us restore that peace wherever it has been brokenby terrorism and injustice, especially in the Middle East.

We repent for the times when religious language has fostered hatred and division. . . .

Bring healing to those whose lives have been shattered by violence.Instill a renewed spirit of reconciliation in thosewho lead our people politically and religiously. . . . Amen

Reverend John T. Pawlikowski, OSMCatholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL

Sign of the Times: Our Blessed Greening Pope

The Vatican’s conversion to enviromental campaigning began in May, with a conference in Rome on climate change at which the Pope urged the Church, scientists and politicians to “respect creation” and “focus on sustainable development”. On his summer break in northern Italy he referred frequently to the need to conserve the natural wonders of “God’s creation”.
The Vatican has also announced plans to install solar panels on the roof of the papal audience hall next year, and has joined a reforestation project aimed at offsetting CO2 emissions." TIMES OF LONDON

Back to the garden

“And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it"
II Genesis xv The Bible, New International version

The Holy Spirit Renewed

The Holy Spirit renewed the Apostles from within, filling them with a power that would give them courage to go out and boldly proclaim that “Christ has died and is risen!” Freed from all fear, they began to speak openly with self-confidence (cf. Acts 2:29; 4:13; 4:29,31). These frightened fishermen had become courageous heralds of the Gospel. Even their enemies could not understand how “uneducated and ordinary men” (cf. Acts 4:13) could show such courage and endure difficulties, suffering and persecution with joy. Nothing could stop them. To those who tried to silence them they replied: “We cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). This is how the Church was born, and from the day of Pentecost he has not ceased to spread the Good News “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Pastoral Care of the Road

Coexistence is a fundamental aspect of human beings and roads should therefore be more human. Motorists are never alone when they are driving, even when no one is sitting beside them. Driving a vehicle is basically a way of relating with and getting closer to other people, and of integrating within a community of people. This capacity for coexistence, of entering into relations with others, presupposes certain specific qualities in a driver: namely self-mastery, prudence, courtesy, a fitting spirit of service and knowledge of the Highway Code. Selfless assistance should also be provided to those who need it, by giving an example of charity and hospitality.