Let us pray for the numerous Eastern European sex slaves and the repentance of the members of organized crime who deprive them of their freedom.
Prayer meetings:
September 3 and 17 2004;
October 1, 15 and 29; November 12; December 10, 2004
Retreats:
September 4, 2004; November 6;
January 22, 2005; March 5; May 14;
Masses: St Maxime Church , 11:00 a.m.
on the second sunday of each month
The north American communities conference was held in Hillsdale, Michigan June 24-27, 2004. It was the occasion for the leaders of these communities to build relationships and to get a broader view of God's work. We were urged 'to remain faithful, to expect trial and to prepare for a new wave of evangelism'. Build with God, something lasting in a society being torn down. Now is not a time of peace and security and we are to reclaim lost territory. We are to protect the core of our faith and our call, and adapt the remainder; To include the younger members in leadership: Discern new leaders not only by their gifts but mainly by their faithfulness, their reliability, and their ability to teach. . For our kids, we are a people, who have a culture and a way of life, not just a set of beliefs. Steve Clark, the president of the Sword of the Spirit, urged us to keep our attention this year on honoring the Lord's day: Serve and worship the Lord together, celebrate the resurrection, keep this day holy, avoid laborious work, avoid work for pay and avoid shopping on this day. Among other core principles in our culture, we mention: Marry a person committed to christian community ; Support building community with our time and finances.
The president of the Spanish episcopal conference said that the national legislature "goes beyond its limits" if it impedes the preaching of the Word of God.
In this case, Cardinal Antonio Rouco was referring to the Church's opposition to so-called homosexual marriage, which is favored by the new Spanish government.
Cardinal Rouco made his comment today during an address delivered at the Escorial, in the wake of the government's criticism of the Church's stance, the Veritas agency reported.
The government opposed the Note published by the bishops' Executive Committee "on true marriage."
Cardinal Rouco, the archbishop of Madrid, said he does not think "the Church went beyond the limits" of its functions when expressing itself in the democratic context.
The Andalusian Federation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual Associations presented a brief urging the attorney general's office to "promote the action of justice" and investigate a possible crime of "homophobia" by the bishops' conference for having taught Church doctrine, the ABC newspaper reported today.
Source : Zenit.org July 30, 2004