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Author Archives: Mississippi Catholic
In memoriam: Sister Noel Le Claire
MILWAUKEE – Sister Noel Le Claire, who lived her religious vocation in education and a wide range of pastoral care and social service ministries, died at Our Lady of Angels in Greenfield, Wisconsin, on Sept. 13, 2024. Sister Noel was 94 years old.
Sister Noel was born on Dec. 23, 1930, in Escanaba, Michigan. She was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis on June 13, 1947; made her first profession of vows on June 21, 1949; and final (perpetual) vows on June 21, 1955.
Sister is survived by her sisters, Therese (John) Remski of Canton, Michigan, and Sister Margaret Le Claire, SSSF of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; nieces and nephews; and by the School Sisters of St. Francis community with whom she shared life for 77 years.
Beginning in 1951, Sister Noel ministered in Wisconsin, Kentucky, Illinois and Mississippi. In the Diocese of Jackson, Sister served as a social service worker at Sacred Heart Southern Missions in Holly Springs from 1992-1994 and at a Holly Springs social services agency from 1994-2005.
Sister Noel retired in 2017 and ministered through prayer and presence at Our Lady of the Angels until the time of her death.
A funeral Liturgy was held on Oct. 2 at St. Joseph Hall in Milwaukee, followed by a burial service at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Milwaukee.
Movie reviews
Conclave
By John Mulderig
NEW YORK (OSV News) – A serious, even lugubrious, tone and a top-flight cast add heft to the ecclesiastical melodrama “Conclave” (Focus). Yet the film is fundamentally a power-struggle potboiler kept roiling by attention-grabbing plot developments the last and most significant of which Catholic viewers will likely find uncomfortable at best.
The story centers on Ralph Fiennes’ Cardinal Lawrence. In the wake of the sudden death of a fictional, unnamed pope (Bruno Novelli), it’s Lawrence’s duty as dean of the college of cardinals to organize the gathering of the title.
A trio of leading candidates for the papacy quickly emerges as down-to-earth liberal Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci) vies with flamboyant conservative Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto) as well as with Africa’s favorite son, the supposedly reactionary Cardinal Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati). A Canadian prelate, Cardinal Tremblay (John Lithgow), is also in the running.
As these favorites jockey for position, complications arise. Rumors swirl of shady behavior on the part of Cardinal Tremblay while an unexpected newcomer, Cardinal Benitez (Carlos Diehz), makes his mysterious presence felt. Benitez, the Archbishop of Kabul, Afghanistan, produces documentation that the late pontiff appointed him to the cardinalate but kept the matter secret.
Neither references to Lawrence’s shaky hold on his faith nor the clay feet several of his colleagues turn out to possess are cause for much alarm. But rival viewpoints within the church are caricatured with a broad brush in director Edward Berger’s adaptation of Robert Harris’ 2016 novel and the deck is predictably stacked in favor of those who advocate change.
As scripted by Peter Straughan, the movie gets canon law wrong, since promotions such as Benitez’s traditionally known as nominations “in pectore” (within the chest) are null and void if not publicly announced during the lifetime of the pope who made them. And Benedict XVI is implicitly slandered in the dialogue via an allusion to a past pontiff who fought for Hitler.
“Conclave” also traffics in sordid secrets of varying plausibility in the lead-up to a climactic revelation that many will find offensively exploitative, others merely loopy. Since this concerns a rare anatomical anomaly rather than any kind of lifestyle choice, its inclusion makes more of a symbolic statement than an ethical one either acceptable or otherwise.
Still, for all the delicacy and bet-hedging with which the matter is handled, it constitutes a characteristic instance of the way the picture elevates the pieties of the current zeitgeist over eternal truths. Thus Lawrence assures his peers early on that the ultimate sin is certainty.
Not only professors of dogmatic theology but all moviegoers committed to the church’s creeds will, accordingly, want to approach this earnest, visually engaging but manipulative and sometimes sensationalist production with caution. The ideological smoke it sends up remains persistently gray.
The film contains murky moral values, plot developments requiring mature discernment and a couple of mild oaths. The OSV News classification is L limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
White Bird
By John Mulderig
NEW YORK (OSV News) – Fans of the 2017 film “Wonder” may recognize the character of Julian Abans (Bryce Gheisar), a student on whose adjustment to a new school the opening scenes of the touching wartime drama “White Bird” (Lionsgate) focus. Julian was the bully who persecuted the facially deformed but heroic-hearted protagonist of the earlier movie.
Having been expelled for his misconduct, Julian is navigating his present environment and wavering between the proffered friendship of an outsider and the somewhat reluctant patronage offered to him by a callous member of the private academy’s elite. Opportunely, Julian’is grandmother, Sara (Helen Mirren), decides to intervene at this decisive point.
A celebrated artist visiting Julian’s native New York from Paris for a retrospective of her work, elderly Grandmere believes that Julian will profit from her own life lessons. So, in a series of flashbacks that make up the bulk of the story, she recounts to him for the first time the travails she endured as a young Jewish schoolgirl (Ariella Glaser) in occupied France.
Initially pampered at home and popular among her peers, youthful Sara is gifted but selfish and ethically neutral. Thus, although she refrains from joining in the persecution of her school’s main outcast, partially-crippled polio victim Julien Beaumier (Orlando Schwerdt), neither does she come to his defense. Instead, like most of those around her, she simply shuns him.
As the domination of her homeland progresses, however, Sara’s life and outlook change dramatically. Soon German soldiers are rounding up local Jews, both adults and children alike, and Sara is suddenly separated from her loving parents Max (Ishai Golan) and Rose (Olivia Ross) and forced to flee into the woods.
Desperate to stay one step ahead of her pursuers, Sara finds that the only person willing to come to her aid is Julien. Not only does he put himself at risk by helping her evade those hunting her down, he also provides her with long-term shelter in his family’s barn.
With the active help of his father (Jo Stone-Fewings) and mother (Gillian Anderson) who eventually come to regard Sara as their adoptive daughter Julien succeeds in concealing Sara over the weeks and months that follow. As the two youngsters mature, meanwhile, their bond of friendship is gradually transformed into a burgeoning romance.
A paean to kindliness and the power of imagination, director Marc Forster screen version of R.J. Palacio’s 2019 graphic novel “Wonder” was also based on Palacio’s work lacks subtlety at times. Yet, as scripted by Mark Bomback, “White Bird” effectively tugs at the heart by showcasing altruistic heroism in the face of dire evil.
The picture’s formative moral impact, moreover, outweighs its few problematic elements, making it a valuable experience for teens as well as grownups. Both age groups will find themselves rooting enthusiastically for the central pair and joining in the screenplay’s recurring slogan: “Vive l’humanite!”
The film contains mostly stylized violence with a few brief images of gore, mature themes including ethnic persecution, a single crude term and a couple of crass expressions. The OSV News classification is A-II adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
(John Mulderig is media reviewer for OSV News. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @JohnMulderig1.)
Briefs
NATION
WASHINGTON (OSV News) – National Eucharistic Pilgrimage organizers are seeking eight young adults to spend six weeks traveling with the Eucharist from Indiana to California next summer as perpetual pilgrims in the United States’ second national Eucharistic pilgrimage. The route is scheduled to begin Pentecost Sunday, May 18, following a Mass of thanksgiving in Indianapolis and end in Los Angeles on the feast of Corpus Christi June 22 with a special event hosted by the National Eucharistic Congress Inc. and a citywide Eucharistic procession. The pilgrimage route will cover several Southwestern states, with route details forthcoming in early 2025. The pilgrimage expects to visit the tomb of Father Emil Kapaun, a servant of God, in Wichita, Kansas, and the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City. The route’s perpetual pilgrims will be accompanied by two chaplains and participate in weekly service projects in communities they visit. The 2025 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage was inspired by last year’s first-ever National Eucharistic Pilgrimage that preceded the National Eucharistic Congress in July. Perpetual pilgrim applications are due Nov. 1. More information is available at eucharisticpilgrimage.org.
WASHINGTON (OSV News) – The U.S. bishops are gathering in Baltimore Nov. 11-14 for their 2024 fall general assembly, which takes place just weeks after the conclusion of the second session of the Catholic Church’s synod on synodality in Rome. Only two days of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ meeting, Nov. 12-13, will be public and livestreamed on the conference’s website. As in years past, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the papal nuncio to the U.S., and Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, president of the USCCB, will both address the assembly. Although the conference said its agenda for the November assembly is subject to change, the bishops plan to consider updates for a collaborative effort on Dignitas Infinita which concerns human dignity; an update on the interim implementation of Antiquum Ministerium, which concerns the ministry of the catechist; the pastoral implementation of Pope Francis’ teaching document Laudato si’, which concerns environmental stewardship; as well as the conference’s mission directive for the years 2025-2028. The bishops also plan to have a consultation on the sainthood causes of Sister Annella Zervas, a professed religious of the Order of St. Benedict, and for the Servant of God Gertrude Agnes Barber. During the assembly, the bishops will vote for the new conference treasurer, as well as chairmen-elect of five conference committees.
VATICAN
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis called on the faithful to yearn to serve, not thirst for power, as he proclaimed 14 new saints, including Canada-born St. Marie-Léonie Paradis, founder of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family, and 11 martyrs. “Those who dominate do not win, only those who serve out of love,” he said Oct. 20, World Mission Sunday, in St. Peter’s Square. “When we learn to serve, our every gesture of attention and care, every expression of tenderness, every work of mercy becomes a reflection of God’s love,” he said. “And so, we continue Jesus’ work in the world.” The pope said the new saints lived Jesus’ way of service. “The faith and the apostolate they carried out did not feed their worldly desires and hunger for power but, on the contrary, they made themselves servants of their brothers and sisters, creative in doing the good, steadfast in difficulties and generous to the end.” “This is what we should yearn for: not power, but service. Service is the Christian way of life,” he said.
WORLD
LIVERPOOL, England (OSV News) – A court has convicted a British army veteran of violating a “buffer zone” around an abortion clinic after he prayed silently within the boundary. Adam Smith-Connor was given a conditional discharge – in which a fine or prison sentence will be imposed if he repeats his offense in the next two years – and ordered to pay prosecution costs of 9,000 British pounds (US $11,700). The Oct. 16 judgment of the Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council, or court, on England’s south coast, represents the first time anyone has been convicted for praying silently outside an abortion facility in the U.K. The court decided that his posture had expressed “disapproval for abortion,” noting that his hands were joined in prayer and his head was bowed solemnly. Afterward, Smith-Connor said: “Today, the court has decided that certain thoughts – silent thoughts – can be illegal in the United Kingdom. That cannot be right. All I did was pray to God, in the privacy of my own mind – and yet I stand convicted as a criminal.” Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF UK, described the ruling as “a legal turning point of immense proportions.” “A man has been convicted today because of the content of his thoughts – his prayers to God – on the public streets of England,” he said.
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (OSV News) – In an early October massacre, at least 150 people, including many Christians, were killed in northeastern Burkina Faso’s town of Manni, in what turned out to be a brutal terrorist rampage. Days after the massacre, Aid to the Church in Need, a pontifical charity working for the cause of persecuted Christians globally, learned that the attack had occurred Oct. 6. Manni is home to a large Catholic community, and many Christians, as well as Muslims, were killed in the massacre, ACN said on the organization’s website. Sources told ACN that the terrorists first cut mobile phone networks before attacking the local market, where many people had gathered after Sunday Mass. “They then opened fire indiscriminately, looted shops and set fire to several buildings, burning some victims alive. The same sources reported that the next day, the perpetrators returned to attack medical staff and kill the many wounded in the city’s hospital,” ACN said. A new incursion took place two days later, when the terrorists again invaded the town of Manni, massacring all the men they could find. Many of the victims were residents from nearby villages who had sought refuge in Manni after being driven out of their homes by terrorists. “The situation is beyond horrific,” one of the local sources told ACN. “But even if the terrorists burned everything, they didn’t burn our faith!”
FEATURE PHOTO … Seminarian Slide …
Calendar of events
SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
GREENWOOD – Locus Benedictus, Healing Retreat with Maria Vadia on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The retreat is free; a love offering will be taken. Details: call (662) 299–1232.
OFFICE OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION – The OCE hosts a Zoom Rosary the first Wednesday of each month during the school year at 7 p.m. On Nov. 6, St. Elizabeth School will lead us in prayer. Join early and place your intentions in the chat. Details: Join the rosary via zoom at https://bit.ly/zoomrosary2024 or check the diocese calendar of events.
PARISH, FAMILY & SCHOOL EVENTS
CLEVELAND – Our Lady of Victories, CYO Halloween Carnival, Sunday, Oct. 27 in the parish center after 5 p.m. Mass. Details: church office (662) 846-6273.
Our Lady of Victories, Taste of Italy Lasagna Dinner, Thursday, Nov. 14 from 4:30-7 p.m. Details: church office (662) 846-6273.
COLUMBUS – Annunciation, Fall Fest/Trunk or Treat, Sunday, Oct. 27 from 4-6 p.m. Youth can enjoy trunk or treat, cake walk, games, hall of saints, food and more. No pets. Details: church office (662) 328-2927.
Annunciation School, Open House, Thursday, Nov. 14, 9:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. classrooms open, 8:30 a.m. Mass (optional). Little Eagles Preview at 6 p.m. for PreK-3, PreK and Kindergarten. Details: RSVP to marketing@annunciationcatholicschool.org.
FLOWOOD – St. Paul, Trunk or Treat, Saturday, Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m. Details: church office (601) 992-9547.
GLUCKSTADT – St. Joseph, Parish Picnic and Trunk or Treat, Saturday, Oct. 26 after 4 p.m. Mass. Details: church office (601) 856-2054.
GREENVILLE – St. Joseph School, Trunk or Treat, Sunday, Oct. 27 at 5:30 p.m. Details: church office (662) 335-5251.
GREENWOOD – Immaculate Heart of Mary, CYO Spaghetti Supper and Halloween Carnival, Monday, Oct. 28. Spaghetti supper available for drive-thru, carry out or dine in beginning at 4:30 p.m. Carnival booths open at 5:30 p.m. and bingo at 6 p.m. Cost: $15 Details: church office (662) 453-3980.
HERNANDO – Holy Spirit, Trunk or Treat, Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2-4 p.m. in the church parking lot for ages 0 to fifth grade. Details: church office (662) 429-7851.
JACKSON – Cathedral of St. Peter, Fall Festival, Saturday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy games, food, music, parade of saints contest, touch-a-truck and more. Details: church office (601) 969-3125.
MADISON – St. Francis, Trunk or Treat, Wedneday, Oct. 30 from 6:30-8 p.m. Details: email maggie.spence@stfrancismadison.org.
McCOMB – St. Alphonsus, Treats in the Schoolyard, Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 5:30 p.m. Details: church office (601) 684-5648.
MERIDIAN – St. Patrick, Gender and Theology of Your Body hosted by Jason Evert, Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 6-9:15 p.m. Tickets are $15. Proceeds go to the Chastity Project. Details: https://tinyurl.com/stpatmeridian.
St. Patrick, 25th annual Talent, Fashion Show and Dinner, Saturday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Details: for tickets call Rory at (601) 917-7343.
St. Patrick School, Candy Cane Dash, Saturday, Dec. 7 at 8:30 a.m. Register by Nov. 10 to guarantee a shirt. Details: register at https://time2run.raceentry.com/candy-cane-5k-dash/race-information.
NATCHEZ – St. Mary Basilica, Trunk or Treat, Monday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. Details: church office (601) 445-5616.
St. Mary Basilica, Fatima Rosary, Saturday, Oct. 26 at 12 p.m. in the prayer garden.
St. Mary Basilica, Knights of Columbus Spaghetti Dinner, Sunday, Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Dine-in or take-out (bring your own container). Tickets: $10. Details: Darren at (601) 597-2890.
OLIVE BRANCH – Queen of Peace, Trunk or Treat, Sunday, Oct. 27 from 5-7 p.m. Enjoy games, food cake walk and more. All are welcome. Details: church office (662) 895-5007.
SENATOBIA – St. Gregory, Halloween Party, Sunday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. Details: church office (662) 562-5318.
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Adult Halloween Party, Saturday, Oct. 26, doors open at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a night of dancing, food, fun, fellowship and fright in the social hall. Music by DJ Fernando. Details: church office (662) 342-1073.
Christ the King, Halloween Bash – for kids in grades K through fifth, Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. Cost: one large bag of candy. Enjoy carnival games and more.
STARKVILLE – St. Joseph, Fall Trivia Night, Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall. Cost: $20/person or $10 college undergrads. Dinner provided. BYOB. Details: reserve a table, email ben.bachman@gmail.com.
TUPELO – St. James, Fall Festival, Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy games, food, trunk or treat, music and fellowship. Details: church office (662) 842-4881.
VICKSBURG – St. Mary, Fall Fest, Sunday, Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Vicksburg City Park Pavilion. Enjoy Mass followed with food, fellowship, and fun. Details: Virginia at (601) 994-4622.
DIOCESE
JOB OPENING – The Diocese of Jackson’s Office of Communications is looking for a full-time communications specialist. Role involves creating and promoting content across multimedia platforms, including social media, websites and promotional materials. The position requires strong communication skills, knowledge of Catholic teachings and proficiency in design and communication software. College degree required with two years experience. Send a cover letter and resume to joanna.king@jacksondiocese.org. If you would like a full job description, visit https://jacksondiocese.org/employment-1.
YOUNG ADULTS – Trivia on Tap, Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. at Blaylock Photography in Ridgeland. Guest speaker will be deacon candidate, Jeff Cook. Ages 21+ are welcome.
Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage, May 12-27. Father Lincoln Dall will be leading this once in a lifetime journey. Space is limited. Email amelia.rizor@jacksondiocese.org for more information.
YOUTH – Diocesan SEARCH Retreat for tenth through twelfth graders, Jan. 17-19, 2025 at Camp Wesley Pines, Gallman. Diocese High School Confirmation Retreat, Jan. 25-26, 2025 at Lake Forest Ranch, Macon. Diocese Catholic Youth Conference – DCYC for ninth through twelfth grades, March 21-23, 2025 at the Vicksburg Convention Center. Details: contact your individual parish offices or contact Abbey at (601) 949-6934 or abbey.schuhmann@jacksondiocese.org.
CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER – CEE is our diocesan marriage prep program for couples preparing for the sacrament of marriage. The upcoming weekends for 2025 are: Feb. 21-23; August 1-3; and Oct. 24-26at Camp Garaywa in Clinton; and April 25-27 at Lake Tiak-O’Khata in Louisville. Register at https://bit.ly/CEE2024-2025. Details: email debbie.tubertini@jacksondiocese.org.
Tome Nota
Vírgenes y Santos
San Antonio Maria Claret. Octubre 24
San Judas Tadeo. Octubre 28
Todos Los Santos. Noviembre 1
Conmemoración de los Fieles Difuntos. Noviembre 2
San Carlos Borromeo. Noviembre 4
Día de Acción de Gracias. Noviembre 23
Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, Rey del Universo. Noviembre 26
CLINTON – Holy Savior, Taller de Compentencia Intercultural para lideres parroquiales, Lunes 9 de noviembre de 8:30 a.m. a 3 p.m. Inscribirse al (769) 901-1946.
JACKSON – St. Peter Cathedral, Nuestro Festival de Otoño se acerca pronto. 2 de noviembre 10 a.m. a 2 p.m. Estamos emocionados por este evento y necesitamos donaciones de dulces para que podamos asegurarnos de que los niños reciban una gran dosis de azúcar mientras disfrutan de los juegos y actividades que hemos planeado.
Por favor planeen traer una bolsa o dos de dulces a misa este fin de semana o el próximo y ayúdennos a prepararnos.
MORTON – Misa por el Día de los Fieles Difuntos en Hopewell Point el sábado 2 de noviembre a las 5 p.m.
SOUTHAVEN – Christ the King, Halloween Divertido – una alternativa para celebrar para niños del kínder al 5to grado. El jueves 31 de octubre, de 6 a 8 p.m. Costo: una bolsa grande de dulces Ven disfrazado a jugar juegos de carnaval.
TUPELO – St. James, Festival de Otoño, 30 de octubre 5-8 p.m.
VARDAMAN – Catholic Charities, Comida anual de Acción de Gracias para trabajadores agrícolas migrantes, viernes 8 de noviembre. Detalles: oficina (662) 682-9992.
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Breves de la Nación y el Mundo
NACIÓN
WASHINGTON (OSV News) – Los organizadores de la Peregrinación Eucarística Nacional están buscando ocho jóvenes adultos para pasar seis semanas viajando con la Eucaristía desde Indiana a California el próximo verano como peregrinos perpetuos en la segunda peregrinación eucarística nacional de los Estados Unidos. La ruta está programada para comenzar el domingo de Pentecostés, 18 de mayo, después de una Misa de acción de gracias en Indianápolis y terminar en Los Ángeles en la fiesta del Corpus Christi el 22 de junio con un evento especial organizado por el National Eucharistic Congress Inc. y una procesión eucarística por toda la ciudad. La ruta de la peregrinación abarcará varios estados del suroeste; los detalles sobre los estados y las paradas se darán a conocer a principios de 2025. La peregrinación espera visitar la tumba en Wichita, Kansas, del padre Emil Kapaun, capellán del ejército estadounidense que murió como prisionero de guerra en Corea del Norte y que ha sido nombrado siervo de Dios, y el santuario Beato Stanley Rother en Oklahoma City, que rinde homenaje a un sacerdote diocesano que fue martirizado mientras atendía a los pobres en Guatemala. Los peregrinos perpetuos de la ruta estarán acompañados por dos capellanes y participarán en proyectos de servicio semanales en las comunidades que visiten. Las solicitudes de peregrinos perpetuos deben enviarse antes del 1 de noviembre. Más información en eucharisticpilgrimage.org.
WASHINGTON (OSV News) – Los obispos de Estados Unidos se reunirán en Baltimore del 11 al 14 de noviembre para su asamblea general de otoño de 2024, que tiene lugar pocas semanas después de la conclusión de la segunda sesión del sínodo de la Iglesia Católica sobre la sinodalidad en Roma. Sólo dos días de la reunión de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de EE.UU. – el 12 y 13 de noviembre – serán públicos y se retransmitirán en directo en la página web de la conferencia (otras reuniones tendrán lugar a puerta cerrada). Como en años anteriores, el cardenal Christophe Pierre, nuncio papal en Estados Unidos, y el arzobispo Timothy P. Broglio, presidente de la USCCB, pronunciarán sendos discursos ante la asamblea. Aunque la conferencia dijo que su agenda para la asamblea de noviembre está sujeta a cambios, los obispos planean considerar actualizaciones para un esfuerzo de colaboración sobre Dignitas Infinita que concierne a la dignidad humana; una actualización sobre la implementación interina de Antiquum Ministerium, que concierne al ministerio del catequista; la aplicación pastoral de Laudato si’ del Papa Francisco, que se refiere a la tutela del medio ambiente; así como la directiva misionera de la conferencia para los años 2025-2028. Los obispos también tienen previsto celebrar una consulta sobre las causas de santidad de la hermana Annella Zervas, religiosa profesa de la Orden de San Benito, y para la sierva de Dios Gertrude Agnes Barber. Durante la asamblea, los obispos votarán para elegir al nuevo tesorero de la conferencia, así como a los presidentes electos de cinco comités de la conferencia episcopal.
VATICANO
CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) – Si los miembros del Sínodo de los Obispos se toman en serio la idea de compartir su experiencia de “sinodalidad” con todos los miembros de la Iglesia Católica, entonces deben identificar formas concretas de hacerlo, dijo a los miembros el cardenal Jean-Claude Hollerich. “Si guardamos este tesoro sólo para nosotros, lo transformamos en un privilegio” en lugar de un servicio a toda la Iglesia, dijo el cardenal Hollerich, relator general del Sínodo, a los miembros el 15 de octubre, cuando empezaban a debatir la tercera y última parte del documento de trabajo del Sínodo. Titulada “Lugares”, la sección se centraba en promover la sinodalidad – escucharse unos a otros con más atención y cooperar más fácilmente – “la perspectiva de los lugares que, contra la tentación de un universalismo abstracto, hablan de la realidad de los contextos en los que se encarnan las relaciones, con su variedad, pluralidad e interconexión, y con su arraigo en el fundamento del que nace la profesión de fe”. Los 368 miembros del Sínodo iban a debatir la sección “lugares” del documento de trabajo hasta la mañana del 18 de octubre. La última semana del Sínodo se dedicaría a debatir, enmendar y aprobar el documento final de la reunión.
MUNDO
CIUDAD DE MÉXICO (OSV News) – Un sacerdote indígena tzotzil, defensor de derechos humanos y activista por la paz fue asesinado tras celebrar la Misa dominical en el estado de Chiapas, en el sur de México, donde la Iglesia católica ha denunciado la inacción del gobierno ante el aumento de la violencia. El padre Marcelo Pérez, que ejercía su ministerio en regiones indígenas plagadas de conflictos territoriales y posteriormente denunció la violencia de los cárteles de la droga, fue asesinado a tiros el 20 de octubre por dos asaltantes en motocicleta cuando se alejaba de la iglesia de Guadalupe, en San Cristóbal de las Casas, según informan los medios de comunicación mexicanos. La Conferencia Episcopal Mexicana condenó el asesinato del padre Pérez, diciendo en una declaración el mismo día: “Este acto de violencia, perpetrado al final de la misa cuando el padre salía para continuar con sus labores pastorales, no sólo priva a la comunidad de un pastor dedicado, sino que también silencia una voz profética que incansablemente luchó por la paz con verdad y justicia en la región de Chiapas”.
Fiesta de San Miguel en Forest
FOREST – La parroquia de San Miguel celebró su fiesta patronal el domingo 6 de octubre en Gaddis Park. Esta tradición se remonta por lo menos dos décadas, reuniendo a la comunidad diversa, con este año superando los 200 asistentes para celebrar y adorar juntos. La misa trilingüe fue dirigida en inglés por el Padre Adolfo Suárez Pasillas, con lecturas en español por Yesenia Mejca y vietnamita por Lap Pham. Peter Ju, en la foto de la izquierda, ejerció de monaguillo. (Fotos de Tereza Ma)
A la izquierda, Lap Pham lee en vietnamita. A la derecha, Yesenia Mejca lee en español.
El Papa pide un alto el fuego en Oriente Medio y rezapor la paz en Ucrania y Haití
By Cindy Wooden
CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) – El Papa Francisco volvió a pedir “un alto el fuego inmediato en todos los frentes” en Oriente Medio, instando a los líderes a seguir “las vías de la diplomacia y el diálogo para obtener la paz”.
El Papa hizo el llamamiento el 13 de octubre después de dirigir el rezo de la oración del Ángelus con los visitantes en la Plaza de San Pedro.
Un año después de que militantes de Hamás atacaran Israel, matando y tomando cientos de rehenes, continúan las represalias y los ataques de Israel contra Gaza. Los combates se han extendido a la frontera entre Israel y Líbano, con militantes de Hezbolá disparando contra el norte de Israel e Israel invadiendo el sur de Líbano y bombardeando posiciones de Hezbolá en Beirut. Irán, que apoya a Hezbolá, disparó misiles balísticos contra Israel el 1 de octubre, y se esperaba que Israel tomara represalias.
Todas las fuerzas implicadas han infligido muerte y penurias a civiles.
Después de recitar el Ángelus, el Papa Francisco dijo a la multitud: “Expreso mi cercanía a todas las poblaciones afectadas en Palestina, en Israel y en Líbano, donde pido que se respete a las fuerzas de paz de las Naciones Unidas”.
Varios miembros de las fuerzas de paz de la ONU resultaron heridos en el Líbano en los días previos a la intervención del Papa Francisco; no estaba claro quién era el responsable, pero el primer ministro israelí, Benjamin Netanyahu, pidió a las Naciones Unidas el 13 de octubre que trasladaran a las fuerzas de paz de la zona fronteriza, alegando que Hezbolá estaba utilizando a las fuerzas de paz y sus bases como escudos.
Mientras el Papa Francisco rezaba por “todas las víctimas (y) por los desplazados” en toda la región, también repitió su llamamiento a Hamás para que liberara a los rehenes que tomó hace un año.
“Deseo que este gran sufrimiento innecesario, engendrado por el odio y la venganza, llegue pronto a su fin”, dijo el Papa.
“Hermanos y hermanas, la guerra es una ilusión, es una derrota, no traerá nunca la paz, no traerá nunca la seguridad, es una derrota para todos, especialmente para quien se cree invencible”, dijo. “¡Deténganse, por favor!”
Dos días después de reunirse con el presidente ucraniano, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, el Papa Francisco también hizo un llamamiento a la paz y a la ayuda humanitaria para las víctimas de la guerra de Rusia contra Ucrania.
“Hago un llamamiento para que no se deje morir de frío a los ucranianos”, dijo, refiriéndose a la proximidad del invierno y a la destrucción por parte de Rusia de centrales eléctricas y líneas de suministro de gas. “Que cesen los ataques aéreos contra la población civil, que es siempre la más afectada. ¡Basta de matar inocentes!”
El cardenal italiano Matteo Zuppi de Bolonia, enviado del Papa para la paz en Ucrania, llegó a Moscú el 14 de octubre para hablar con funcionarios del gobierno “para facilitar la reunificación familiar de los niños ucranianos” llevados a la fuerza a Rusia y sobre “el intercambio de prisioneros, con vistas a lograr la tan esperada paz”, dijo Matteo Bruni, director de la oficina de prensa del Vaticano.
El Papa Francisco también dijo a la multitud que está siguiendo la “dramática situación en Haití”, donde la violencia extrema por parte de pandillas “continúa la violencia contra la población, que se ve forzada a huir de sus casas buscando seguridad en otros lugares, dentro y fuera del país”.
Desde 2020 la capital de Haití, Puerto Príncipe, ha sido escenario de feroces batallas entre bandas, y desde febrero la mayor parte de la capital está bajo el control de sus miembros. Pero la violencia se extiende. En la ciudad de Pont-Sondé, el 3 de octubre, los miembros de las bandas criminales mataron al menos a 115 personas y provocaron la huida de sus hogares de más de 6.000 personas.
“Pido a todos que recen para que cese toda forma de violencia” en Haití, dijo el Papa Francisco, y animó a la comunidad internacional a seguir “trabajando para construir la paz y la reconciliación en el país, defendiendo siempre los derechos y la dignidad de todos”.