St. Lorenzo Ruiz

Short Cuts

Facts

Feastday: September 28
Beatified By: Pope John Paul II
Canonized By: Pope John Paul II

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Lorenzo Ruiz is the first Filipino saint. He is also the first Filipino martyred for the Christian Faith. Lorenzo Ruiz was a layman, married, and had two sons and a daughter. Born in Binondo, Manila, about 1600's, he was educated in the school of the Dominicans there. He served as an altar boy and later was a helper and clerk-sacristan in the church of Binondo. He was a member of the Confraternity of the Rosary. He made his living probably as a calligrapher, one who renders documents in beautiful penmanship for private or official use. To be sure, that work denoted an accomplished and educated person, especially at a time when many an illustrious personage were far from excelling in this art. An adverse event made him leave the Philippines in 1636. When he was in his late twenties or early thirties, he became involved or was accused of being involved in a criminal case, the circumstances of which are far from clear. Whether he was involved or not, one thing was clear, he was afraid that, as a consequence of a trial or mistrial, he might be given a death sentence. Upon landing in Japan where Christians were being persecuted, he was arrested and imprisoned together with his companions. He underwent inhuman tortures and valiantly confessed his Christian Faith. Refusing to renounce his Faith, he told his executioner that he was ready to die for God and give himself for many thousands of lives if he had them. On September 27, 1637, he was hung from a gallows by his feet, his body falling into a pit. After two days of agony, he died of bleeding and suffocation. His body was cremated and the ashes thrown into the sea. He and fifteen companions, martyred in the same persecution, were beatified by Pope John Paul II in Manila on February 18, 1981 and elevated to full honors of the altar by canonization on October 18, 1987 in Rome. Their feast day is on September 28th.

Papa awashukuru watawa wa Marekani

Papa akisalimiana na Masista wa Shirika la Mtakatifu Clara - AP

BABA mtakatifu Francisco Alhamisi akiongoza Ibada ya masifu ya Jioni katika Kanisa Kuu la kale la Mtakatifu Patrick, la Mjini New York, alionyesha kutambua kwamba, kanisa hilo ni matunda ya kazi ngumu ya watu wengi  wake kwa waume, waliyoyatolea maisha yao mhanga bila kujibakiza katika utumishi wa kanisa.  Na hivyo ameitaja kuwa ni  ishara nzuri ya kazi ya wahenga,  makuhani , watawa na walei aminifu wa Marekani,  waliosaidia kujenga Kanisa nchini Marekani.
Papa alitazama kwa kina, jukumu lao la msingi katika ujenzi wa jamii ya Marekani, na hivyo akatoa shukurani zake nyingi kwa  makuhani na watawa  ambao  hasa wamejikitika katika mipango ya  elimu na lishe katika taifa la Marekani. Alieleza na kutoa mfano wa mwanzilishi wa kwanza wa Shule Katoliki huru ya wasichana nchini Marekani, Mtakatifu  Elizabeth Ann Seton na Mtakatifu  John Neumann, mwanzilishi wa kwanza wa mfumo wa elimu Katoliki Marekani , akisema kwamba watu wengi kulipwa gharama za kafara ya ajabu na alifanya hivyo kwa kishujaa upendo.

Lakini pia hakuogopa kutaja moja kwa moja kasoro zilizo chafua sura nzuri ya Kanisa nchini Marekani,  kashfa  ya ngono kwa watoto, aibu iliyoletwa na watumishi wabovu wa Kanisa . Papa Francisko,  alikubali mateso ya wake kwa waume, na wale waliokubali kuibeba aibu ya unyama huu uliodhalilisha  ndugu hawa wanyonge  katika  Kanisa na kuwaweka katika mazingira magumu zaidi ... Papa amesema anatolea sala na faraja zake katika kwa wakati huu wa maumivu na uchungu wa moyo.
Na aliwarejea tena  Mapadre na watawa wa Marekani , akiwahimiza n akuwataka wawe watumishi wema, watumikie kwa uaminifu, furaha na kuridhika katika wito wao. Wafanya kazi kwa bidii na kuyaishi maisha ya kujinyima  na uaminifu kwa mujibu wa karama za waanzilishi wa jumuiya na mashirika yao kama  njia ya upendeleo katika kutoa jibu kwa Upendo wake Mkuu Yeye aliyewaita  katika kulitumikia Kanisa.
Kwa namna ya pekee, Papa aliendelea kutambua na kuonyesha heshima yake na shukrani kwa watawa wa kike nchini Marekani akihoji, bila wao utendaji wa Kanisa ungekuwaje hasa nchini Marekani. Alisifu kwamba, Wanawake wana nguvu, na kwa ujasiri huo, huwaweka mstari wa mbele katika kuitangaza Injili .
Alimalizia na shukurani kwa Watawa, masista na wanawake wote walioyatolea maisha yao katika kuifikisha habari njema katika kila kona ya taifa la Marekani na kwingineko duniani.  "Asante Sana ", na “ninawapenda wote”.

Baada ya Marekani Papa kuitembelea Afrika Mashariki na Kati

Rais Kenyata asema ni Papa atakayeiunganisha Kenya kuwa kitu kimoja

Na Paskal Linda -Nairobi, Kenya


NCHI za Kenya  na Uganda zimeeleza shauku ya kumuona Papa Fransisko. Akizungumza na batarokota.blogspot.com, Mratibu wa Mawasiliano Baraza la Maaskofu Kenya (KCCB) David Omwoyo amesema kuwa, wananchi wa Kenya wanashauku ya kumuona Papa Fransisko kwani hiyo ni ziara ya kihistoria kwa nchi hiyo.
“Maandalzi kwa upande wa Kanisa yamekamilika na upande wa serikali imejiandaa vyema kwani hata serikali imetuma ujumbe kwamba imejipanga kumpokea Papa Fransisko ambaye licha tu ya kuwa kiongozi wa Kanisa Katoliki Duniani ni Rais wa nchi ya Vatikani,” ameeleza Omwoyo.
Aidha ameeleza kuwa, licha ya Papa kuitembelea Kenya ataitembelea pia nchi ya Uganda hivyo ugeni huo unageuka kuwa wa nchi za Afrika Mashariki.

Aidha serikali ya Kenya ilituma ujumbe kwenye ofisi za Mawasiliano KCCB ikieleza kuwa, serikali ya Kenya inayoongozwa na Rais Uhuru Kenyata iko makini kumpokea Papa Fransisko ambaye wana matumaini kwamba ataleta hamasa ya umoja na mshikamano baina ya wakenya.
“Baba Mtakatifu anakuja kututembelea kama kondoo zake, kuimarisha imani yetu na kututia moyo wa imani katika kutekeleza majukumu yetu kwa jirani na kujitoa sadaka kwa ajili yaw engine,” umeeleza ujumbe huo.
Omoyo amesema, Papa akiwa Kenya kwa siku hizo tatu, atafanya mazungumzo binafsi na Rais wa nchi hiyo Uhuru Kenyata, atakutana pia na viongozi wa serikali ya Kenya na Maafisa Mazingira wa Umoja wa Mataifa na kuhutubia wajumbe wa kidiplomasia nchini humo.
“Papa atakutana pia na viongozi wa dini mbalimbali wakiwemo wakristo, waislamu, Hindu na viongozi wa jadi, vijana na kuongoza Ibada ya Misa Takatifu ambapo atahutubia taifa la Kenya.
Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Maaskofu Katoliki Uganda Askofu John Baptist Odama ameeleza kuwa, Kanisa nchini Uganda limejiandaa kwa ujio huo Mtakatifu.“Akiwa nchini Uganda, Papa ataungana na waamini kusherehekea Yubilei ya Dhahabu ya kutangazwa watakatifu Mashahidi wa Uganda 22.”

Baraza la Maaskofu Kenya laweka mikakati ya ujio huo.
Kamati ndogo ya Tume ya Mawasiliano na Matangazo ya Baraza la Maaskofu Katoliki Kenya, imetoa baadhi ya mikakati mbinu, kwa ajili ya maandalizi ya ziara ya Papa Francisko nchini Kenya, mwezi Novemba mwaka huu.
Mratibu wa Mawasiliano wa KCCB, David Omwoyo amesema kuwa, tovuti maalum kwa ajili ya ziara ya Papa itazinduliwa katika siku chache zijazo. Na pia hivi karibuni, nembo ya ziara ya Papa itazinduliwa hivi karibuni.
Nembo hiyo ina alama 4 muhimu zinaashiria mada mbiu ya ziara: “Simama imara katika Imani … Usiogope.” Vitu hivyo vinne ni Njiwa kama alama ya amani, moto katika nafasi ya Roho Mtakatifu, ramani ya Kenya na Msalaba ambayo ni ishara ya Kanisa.
Na kwamba, kwa ajili ya kuwaandaa watu , katika kipindi hiki cha kusubiri ujio wa Papa, Kamati ndogo ya Mawasiliano imeunda mpango mpya wa utendaji kwa miradi maalum, inayolenga kufanikishaji wa ziara ya Papa kiroho na kijamii.
Miradi inayoendeshwa na Kanisa Katoliki Kenya ambayo itatagazwa kupitia vituo vya Televisheni. Aidha, kutakuwa na mengi yatakayotangazwa na vyombo vya habari kwa wakati huu.
Taarifa zote zitakuwa zinapatikana katika tovuti mpya itakayozinduliwa hivi karibuni, ikiwa wazi kwa mtu yeyote ambaye anayetaka kupata habarii za ujio wa Papa Kenya. 

Papa Fransisko anatazamia kuitembelea Afrika ambapo atatembelea nchi ya Kenya Novemba 25 hadi 27, Uganda Novemba 27 hadi 29 na Jamhuri ya Afrika ya Kati Novemba 29 hadi 30 Mwaka huu.

Evening Prayer to God the Father

O eternal God and Ruler of all creation, You have allowed me to reach this hour. Forgive the sins I have committed this day by word, deed or thought. Purify me, O Lord, from every spiritual and physical stain. Grant that I may rise from this sleep to glorify You by my deeds throughout my entire lifetime, and that I be victorious over every spiritual and physical enemy. Deliver me, O Lord, from all vain thoughts and from evil desires, for yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen. (By Saint Macarius)

Daily Reading for Sunday, September 27th, 2015

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Reading 1, Numbers 11:25-29

²⁵ Yahweh descended in the cloud. He spoke to him and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the spirit came on them they prophesied -- but only once.
²⁶ Two men had stayed back in the camp; one was called Eldad and the other Medad. The spirit came down on them; though they had not gone to the Tent, their names were enrolled among the rest. These began to prophesy in the camp.
²⁷ A young man ran to tell Moses this. 'Look,' he said, 'Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.'
²⁸ Joshua son of Nun, who had served Moses since he was a boy, spoke up and said, 'My lord Moses, stop them!'
²⁹ Moses replied, 'Are you jealous on my account? If only all Yahweh's people were prophets, and Yahweh had given them his spirit!'

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Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14

⁸ The precepts of Yahweh are honest, joy for the heart; the commandment of Yahweh is pure, light for the eyes.
¹⁰ more desirable than gold, even than the finest gold; his words are sweeter than honey, that drips from the comb.
¹² But who can detect his own failings? Wash away my hidden faults.
¹³ And from pride preserve your servant, never let it be my master. So shall I be above reproach, free from grave sin.
¹⁴ May the words of my mouth always find favour, and the whispering of my heart, in your presence, Yahweh, my rock, my redeemer.

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Gospel, Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

³⁸ John said to him, 'Master, we saw someone who is not one of us driving out devils in your name, and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him.'
³⁹ But Jesus said, 'You must not stop him; no one who works a miracle in my name could soon afterwards speak evil of me.
⁴⁰ Anyone who is not against us is for us.
⁴¹ 'If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, then in truth I tell you, he will most certainly not lose his reward.
⁴² 'But anyone who is the downfall of one of these little ones who have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone hung round his neck.
⁴³ And if your hand should be your downfall, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell, into the fire that can never be put out.
⁴⁵ And if your foot should be your downfall, cut it off; it is better for you enter into life lame, than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.
⁴⁷ And if your eye should be your downfall, tear it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell
⁴⁸ where their worm will never die nor their fire be put out.

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Reading 2, James 5:1-6

¹ Well now, you rich! Lament, weep for the miseries that are coming to you.
² Your wealth is rotting, your clothes are all moth-eaten.
³ All your gold and your silver are corroding away, and the same corrosion will be a witness against you and eat into your body. It is like a fire which you have stored up for the final days.
⁴ Can you hear crying out against you the wages which you kept back from the labourers mowing your fields? The cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord Sabaoth.
⁵ On earth you have had a life of comfort and luxury; in the time of slaughter you went on eating to your heart's content.
⁶ It was you who condemned the upright and killed them; they offered you no resistance.

St. Michael the Archangel

Short Cuts

Facts

Feastday: September 29
Patron of grocers, mariners, paratroopers, police, and sickness

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St. Michael the Archangel - Feast day - September 29th The name Michael signifies "Who is like to God?" and was the warcry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against satan and his followers. Holy Scripture describes St. Michael as "one of the chief princes," and leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph over the powers of hell. He has been especially honored and invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles.
Although he is always called "the Archangel," the Greek Fathers and many others place him over all the angels - as Prince of the Seraphim. St. Michael is the patron of grocers, mariners, paratroopers, police and sickness.

Utendaji wa mtu pia huonyesha tabia ya mtu mwenyewe alivyo

Mapema Ijumaa hii 25 Septemba 2015, Baba Mtakatifu alitembelea Makao Makuu ya Umoja wa Mataifa yaliyoko mjini New York, na kuwahutubia wafanyakazi wote wa Ofisi hizo za Makao Makuu ya Umoja wa Mataifa. Katika hotuba yake fupi, Papa aliwashukuru kwa dhati na kuonyesha furaha yake kuwa mahali hapo. Aliwatia nguvu akiwataja kwamba wote wake kwa waume, wao ni uti wa mgongo wa chombo hiki muhimu cha Kimataifa.
Baba Mtakatifu Francisko akihutubia wafanyakazi wa Umoja wa Mataifa mjini New York 25.09.2015 -

Papa alitoa shukurani zake kwa wafanyakazi wote tangu kwa maofisa wa ngazi za juu watalaam hadi kwa wahudumu wa kawaida akisema, kazi zao za kila siku ni muhimu katika kuwezesha kazi za mahusiano ya  kidiplomasia, kiutamaduni, kiuchumi na kisiasa, katika juhudi za  Umoja wa Mataifa, ambazo ni muhimu sana kwa ajili ya kukutanisha matumaini na matarajio ya watu wote wanaounda familia ya binadamu. Na alitambua juhudi na uzoefu wa wafanayakazi hao  kama Maafisa na makatibu, wahariri na wakalimani, wahudumu na wapishi, mafundi wa ukarabati na pia kama maafisa usalama.
Papa aliwashukuru wote kwa moyo wa dhati, kwa kila jambo wanalolifanya kwa manufaa ya wote na hasa kwa majitoleo yao  ambayo si tu huchangia katika ufanikishaji wa kazi za  Umoja wa Mataifa, lakini pia zenye kuwa na maana kubwa, pia  kwao wenyewe binafsi.  Papa alisema jinsi mtu anavyofanya kazi zake huonyesha pia heshima ya mtu mwenyewe alivyo.
Na kwamba wengi wao wametoka katika nchi mbalimbali duniani kote. Na hivyo wanakuwa mfano wa jinsi watu mbalibmali wanavyoweza kuungana na kuwa kitu kimoja katika utumishi kwa manufaa ya wote, na hasa kwa jinsi wanavyoonyesha ustawi wa watoto kupitia mipango mbalimbali ya elimu na lishe. Na pia  katika kujali mustakabali wa dunia na vizazi vijavyo.
Papa alieleza na kutoa ombi kwa kila mmoja wao, akimtaka bila kujali hadhi yake, wajenge umoja na mshikamano, wakihudumiana  mmoja kwa mwingine. Kufanya kazi zao kwa ukaribu zaidi na zaidi katika hali za kuheshimiana  na umoja kati yao ili shirika hili liwe  mfano wa familia ya binadamu , yenye kuishi katika hali ya mapatano na maelewano si tu kwa ajili  ya amani lakini katika amani , kufanya kazi si tu kwa ajili ya haki lakini katika roho ya haki.
Papa alieleza na kuwahakikishia kwamba kila mmoja wao yumo ndani ya moyo wake .  Na kwamba atatolea sala zake kwa ajili yao na familia zao na akawaomba wao pia wamkumbuke katika sala zao .Na kama kuna wasioamini basi amewaomba wamtakie yaliyo mema. "Mungu awabariki wote. Asante" alimalizia Papa Francisko na kupigiwa makofi mengi .

Ujumbe wa Papa Francisco kwa New York :” Mungu yu hai katika miji yetu”

Ijumaa, kama sehemu ya ratiba yake katika kulitembelea jiji la New York, 

Na Paskal Linda- New York.

 BABA Mtakatifu aliongoza Ibada ya Misa katika Bustani ya Madison , ibada iliyohudhuriwa na maelfu ya wakazi wa jiji la New York, wakiwemo Maaskofu, Mapadre Watawa wakiongozwa na Askofu Mkuu Kardinali Timothy Michael Dolan wa Jimbo Kuu la New.
Papa Francisko akipeana Amani na Kardinali Dolan, wakati wa Ibada ya misa katika bustani ya Madson

Papa katika hotuba yake aliyoitoa katika lugha ya kihispania na kutafasiliwa kwa Kiingereza, pia aliwakumbusha  kutosahau kuwahudumia watu maskini na wahitaji wa mji huo.
Papa Francisco aliendelea kuzungumzia wajibu waamini Wakristo katika kutumikia amani na kuwa mashahidi na wataalamu wa ujenzi wa amani, kuthibitisha katika maisha yetu, mfano ukuu wa Kristo , aliyetangazwa na Nabii Isaya kwamba ni Mfalme wa amani. Aliwaambia wote waliokuwa wakimsikiliza, “Nendeni  kwa watu wengine na kuwashirikisha  habari njema kwamba Mungu, Baba yetu, anatembea kando yetu. Papa Francis aliyaambia maelfu ya watu hasa vijana walioshiriki katika Ibada hiyo. Na kwamba  Yeye Kristo  Bwana, hutuopoa na maovu yote ya maisha , hali ya utupu na upweke na ubinafsi ,na huturejesha katika shule ya kukutana na wengine. Yeye  hutuondoa kutoka dhambi ya ushindani na ubinafsi, na kufungua mbele yetu njia ya amani. Amani hiyo inayozaliwa kwa kuwakubali wengine kwa  amani iliyojaza mioyo yetu, na kutusukuma kutazama wahitaji zaidi ndugu zetu na dada.
"Mungu," alisema Papa Francis, "anaishi katika miji yetu: Kanisa linaishi katika miji yetu, na anataka kua kama hamira ilivyo ndani ya unga. Ana hamu ya kumwambia kila mmoja , na kusimama kando ya kila mtu, kama Yeye anaye tangaza maajabu ya, Mungu, Mungu  mwenye nguvu, Baba wa milele, Mfalme wa amani.  Papa alieleza na kunukuu tena aya kutoa Isaya "Watu wale waliokwenda katika giza wameona nuru kuu, "- na sisi wenyewe ni mashahidi wa mwanga."
Homilia ya Papa pia ilionyesha kutambua kwamba kuishi katika majiji si jambo jepesi kwa kuwa ni kukutana na watu wa kila tabaki na hata kuna ubaguzi wa kuwaweka watu wengine daraja la juu na wengine daraja la chini. Lakini kwa utambuzi kwamba Kristo  pia anatembea mitaani , na kwamba ni sehemu ya watu wanaishi katika maisha magumu na sehemu ya mpango wake wa wokovu kwetu, tunajazwa na Tumaini . Tumaini linalotuweka Huru dhidi ya nguvu na mashinikizo yote yanayotaka kututenganisha na kutojali maisha ya wengine katika maisha haya ya mjini.

Pope Francis visits New York City

Pope Francis has arrived in New York City, where he will deliver mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral early Thursday evening. His plans this evening include a motorcade along Fifth Avenue and a vespers service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

He speaks to the U.N. General Assembly on Friday, visits the 9/11 Memorial and goes to Madison Square Garden for a Mass with thousands of attendees. (AP)
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Evening prayerPope Francis leads an evening prayer service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York. (Photo: Jason DeCrow/AP)

Pope Francis leads prayer
Pope Francis leads an evening prayer service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York. (Photo: Robert Deutsch/USA Today/AP)

Pope Francis gives a sermon
Pope Francis speaks during evening prayer service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, Sept. 24, 2015. (Photo: Mary Altaffer/AP)

Pope Francis delivers a speech
Pope Francis delivers his speech as he leads an evening prayer service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York. (Photo: Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

Evening prayers
Pope Francis is joined by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, during prayers at the altar of Saint Elizabeth before the evening prayer service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York City. (Photo: Mary Altaffer/Getty Images)

Entering St. Patrick’s Cathedral 
Pope Francis enters St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York City. (Photo: Anthony Behar/Getty Images)

Acknowledges well-wishers 
Pope Francis acknowledges well-wishers outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (L) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) © look on, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York City. (Photo: Damon Winterl/Getty Images)

Arriving at St. Patrick’s
Pope Francis waves as he arrives at St. Patrick’s Cathedral to lead an evening prayer service, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York. (Photo: Julie Jacobson/AP)

Bird’s-eye view
Pope Francis is viewed from a window at the St. Regis Hotel as he makes his way down Fifth Avenue towards St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York City. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Pope in a handbag 
A picture of Pope Francis peeks out of a handbag along Fifth Avenue before his arrival at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York. (Photo: John Minchillo/AP)

Pope waves to crowd
Pope Francis waves to the crowd with Cardinal Timothy Dolan as they ride down Fifth Avenue in the popemobile, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York. (Photo: Julie Jacobson/AP)

On the way to St. Patrick’s Cathedral 
Pope Francis’s motorcade travels down Fifth Avenue, Sept. 24, 2015, on the way to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. (Photo: Richard Drew/AP)

Motorcade on Fifth Avenue
Pope Francis’s motorcade moves through New York City streets, Sept. 24, 2015, on the way to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where he will lead an evening prayer service. (Photo: Richard Drew/AP)

Crowds await motorcade
Crowds watch as the pope’s motorcade moves through New York City streets, Sept. 24, 2015, on the way to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where he will lead an evening prayer service. (Photo: Richard Drew/AP)

Down Fifth Avenue
Pope Francis makes his way down Fifth Avenue towards St. Patrick’s Cathedral Sept. 24, 2015, in New York City. (Photo: Anthony Behar/Getty Images)

Heightened security
A New York City police officer searches nuns outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral prior to the arrival of Pope Francis in New York, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. (Photo: Damon Winter/The New York Times/AP)

Helicopter ride to city
Pope Francis boards a waiting helicopter during his arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport Sept. 24, 2015 in New York City. (Photo: Craig Ruttle/Getty Images)

A kiss for Maria
Pope Francis greets Maria Teresa Heyer, a first-grade student from Brooklyn, after his arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York. (Photo: Craig Ruttle/AP)

Engaging well-wishers
Pope Francis engages well-wishers, including Gerard Gubatan of Brooklyn, after arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York. (Photo: Craig Ruttle/AP)

Pope blesses children
Pope Francis reaches out to fifth grader Omodele Ojo of Brooklyn, John F. Kennedy International Airport Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York. (Photo: Craig Ruttle/AP)

A gift for the pope
Pope Francis is given a gift at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Sept. 24, 2015 in New York City. (Photo: Craig Ruttle: Getty Images)

Pope Francis arrives at JFK
Pope Francis arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York City. (Photo: Craig Ruttle/Getty Images)

The pope is a doll
Pedestrians take photographs of Pope Francis dolls displayed in front of a 7-Eleven on Fifth Avenue, Sept. 24, 2015, in New York City. (Photo: Bryan Thomas/Getty Images)

Prayer of the Day for Friday, September 25, 2015

The Prayer Thank You God! Dear Loving and Compassionate God,
Giver of all gifts,
we pray especially today for the mercy and love You give us.
Open our hearts and minds to You.
Give us the grace to accept your mercy.
As we live each day,
we pray for those less fortunate,
especially those who are hurting,
and whose wounds need to be healed.
Help us become involved in ways that show them how deeply
we care.
Give us the personal courage to listen to their concerns
and help them find the solutions to which they are
entitled.
as Your children and our brothers and sisters.

Amen.

Daily Reading for Friday, September 25th, 2015

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Reading 1, Haggai 1:15--2:9

¹ In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of Yahweh was addressed through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel governor of Judah and to Joshua son of Jehozadak the high priest as follows,
² 'Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "This people says: The time has not yet come to rebuild the Temple of Yahweh." '
³ (And the word of Yahweh was addressed through the prophet Haggai, as follows,)
⁴ 'Is this a time for you to live in your panelled houses, when this House lies in ruins?
⁵ So now, Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "Think carefully about your behaviour.
⁶ You have sown much and harvested little; you eat but never have enough, drink but never have your fill, put on clothes but feel no warmth. The wage-earner gets his wages only to put them in a bag with a hole in it."
⁷ Yahweh Sabaoth says this, "Think carefully about your behaviour.
⁸ Go up into the hills, fetch timber and rebuild the House; and I shall take pleasure in it and manifest my glory there -- Yahweh says.
⁹ The abundance you expected proved to be little. When you brought the harvest in, I blasted it. And why? - Yahweh Sabaoth declares. Because while my House lies in ruins, each of you is busy with his own house.
¹⁵ This was on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month. In the second year of King Darius,

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Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 43:1, 2, 3, 4

¹ Judge me, God, defend my cause against a people who have no faithful love; from those who are treacherous and unjust, rescue me.
² For you are the God of my strength; why abandon me? Why must I go around in mourning, harrassed by the enemy?
³ Send out your light and your truth; they shall be my guide, to lead me to your holy mountain to the place where you dwell.
⁴ Then I shall go to the altar of God, to the God of my joy. I will rejoice and praise you on the harp, O God, my God.

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Gospel, Luke 9:18-22

¹⁸ Now it happened that he was praying alone, and his disciples came to him and he put this question to them, 'Who do the crowds say I am?'
¹⁹ And they answered, 'Some say John the Baptist; others Elijah; others again one of the ancient prophets come back to life.'
²⁰ 'But you,' he said to them, 'who do you say I am?' It was Peter who spoke up. 'The Christ of God,' he said.
²¹ But he gave them strict orders and charged them not to say this to anyone.
²² He said, 'The Son of man is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.'

Papa Francisko yuko Marekani

Papa akipokewa na Rais Obama mara baada ya kutua katika uwanja wa Kijeshi wa Marekani akitokea Cuba - EPA

Jumanne,Baba Mtakatifu Francisco alikamilisha ziara yake kisiwani Cuba na kupanda ndege katika uwanja wa kimataifa wa Santiago akielekea Marekani Washington D.C , kwa ndege ya Altalia , safari iliyomchukua muda wa saa sita akiwa angani.Hii ni mara ya kwanza katika Maisha yake Papa Francisko kwenda Marekani.
Akipita katika anga za nchi,  kwa njia ya telegramu alipeleka salaam zake za matashi mema kwa wakuu wa nchi akianzia Rais Raul Castro Ruz, akisema “wakati naondoka katika taifa pendwa la Cuba, napenda kutoa shukurani zangu za dhati kwako wewe na watu wote wa Cuba kwa mapokezi mazuri mliyonipatia. Nami nawaombea Baraka za Mwenyezi Mungu, kwenu nyote na ninawahakikishia maombi yangu kwa ajili ya amani na ustawi wenu nyote”.

Prayer of the Day for Saturday, September 12, 2015

Family Blessing at a Gathering Father in Heaven,
We praise You for giving us Your Son
To be our Saviour and Lord.
Bless us all as we gather here today, (tonight)
And let us live happily in Your love.

Hear our prayer, loving Father,
For we ask this in Jesus' Name.

Amen.

Daily Reading for Saturday, September 12th, 2015

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Reading 1, First Timothy 1:15-17

¹⁵ Here is a saying that you can rely on and nobody should doubt: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I myself am the greatest of them;
¹⁶ and if mercy has been shown to me, it is because Jesus Christ meant to make me the leading example of his inexhaustible patience for all the other people who were later to trust in him for eternal life.
¹⁷ To the eternal King, the undying, invisible and only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 113:1-2, 3-4, 5, 6-7

¹ Alleluia! Praise, servants of Yahweh, praise the name of Yahweh.
² Blessed be the name of Yahweh, henceforth and for ever.
³ From the rising of the sun to its setting, praised be the name of Yahweh!
⁴ Supreme over all nations is Yahweh, supreme over the heavens his glory.
⁵ Who is like Yahweh our God? His throne is set on high,
⁶ but he stoops to look down on heaven and earth.
⁷ He raises the poor from the dust, he lifts the needy from the dunghill,

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Gospel, Luke 6:43-49

⁴³ 'There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit.
⁴⁴ Every tree can be told by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, nor gather grapes from brambles.
⁴⁵ Good people draw what is good from the store of goodness in their hearts; bad people draw what is bad from the store of badness. For the words of the mouth flow out of what fills the heart.
⁴⁶ 'Why do you call me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?
⁴⁷ 'Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and acts on them -- I will show you what such a person is like.
⁴⁸ Such a person is like the man who, when he built a house, dug, and dug deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built.
⁴⁹ But someone who listens and does nothing is like the man who built a house on soil, with no foundations; as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!'

St. Ailbhe

Short Cuts

Facts

Feastday: September 12
Patron of wolves
Death: 528

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Bishop and preacher, one of the saints whose life has been woven into the myths and legends of Ireland. He was a known disciple of St. Patrick, and is called Albeus in some records. What is known about Ailbhe is that he was a missionary in Ireland, perhaps sponsored by King Aengus of Munster. He was also the first bishop of Emily in Munster, Ireland. Legends and traditions abound about his life. One claims that he was left in the woods as an infant and suckled by a wolf. This legend is prompted in part by Ailbhe's later life. An old she-wolf came to Ailbhe for protection from a hunting party, resting her head upon his breast. He is supposed to have been baptized by a priest in northern Ireland, possibly in a British settlement. The so called Acts of Ailbhe are filled with traditions that are not reliable. Ailbhe was noted for his charity and kindness, as well as his eloquent sermons. He is beloved in Ireland.

Hakuna mbadiliko katika sheria msingi ya ndoa.

(Vatican Radio) Baba Mtakatifu Francisko wiki hii alitoa nyaraka mbili za “Motu proprio”zinazolenga kufanya mabadiliko katika Mfumo wa Mahakama ya Kanisa Katoliki juu ya uendeshaji wa kesi zinazohusiana na sheria ya ndoa.

Papa alitoa nyaraka hizo siku ya Jumanne, Motu proprio,  “Mitis Iudex Dominus Jesus”au Bwana Yesu, Hakimu mwenye huruma", ambayo inarekebisha kanuni za mahakama ya sheria ya kanisa (CIC) kwa Makanisa ya Amerika, na barua nyingine, “mitis et misericors Jesus"Msamaha na huruma  ya Yesu”, ambayo inafanya inarekebisha Kanuni za Makanisa  za Kanisa katika uendeshaji wa kesi za kubatilisha ndoa kwa Makanisa ya Mashariki (CCEO).

Profesa katika Sheria za Kanisa katika Chuo Kikuu cha Kipapa ya Gregorian cha Papa Rome, Padre James J. Conn, SJ, akizungumzia  marekebisho hayo ameiambia Redio Vatican kwamba,  kuna mabadiliko maalum matatu , hasa katika uharakisha wa kushughulikia  kesi za wanaondoa wanaotaka kubatilisha ndoa;  kuondolewa kwa haja ya mahakama kutoa hukumu mara mbili kwa tukio na kisha tena kupelekwa katika mahakama ya rufaa, kwa maana kwamba, inatosha kuzingatia maamuzi yaliyotolewa na mahakama kwa mara ya kwanza, iwapo  yanayoona kwamba , kuna ushahidi wa kutosha kwa ndoa kutanguliwa, na wahusika wanaweza kufunga ndoa   ndoa mpya kwa mujibu wa sheria Kanisa (au katika kupokea miungano ya ndoa ilifungwa  kwa sheria za kiraia , wakati huo huo kutambuliwa na Kanisa).
Pia kuanzishwa kwa uwezekano wa kesi kusikilizwa na hakimu mwenye uzoefu mara  moja, kama hatua ya kupunguza mzigo wa wingi wa kesi katika mahakama za majimbo, ambako watu wenye ujuzi ni wachache);  Na uundaji wa kueleka mchakato wa kesi  katika baadhi ya kesi , kutolewa maamuzi moja kwa moja na Askofu mahalia, kwa kesi ambazo zina ushahidi wa kutosha kutolewa hukumu ya kubatishwa na pande zote mbili zinaamini muungano wao ulikuwa batili. Katika mchakato huu hasa unaonyesha dhamira Papa Francisco  kugawana madaraka na Maaskofu wa majimbo duniani kote.

Prof Conn, SJ, aliendelea kufafanua kwamba - kinyume na uvumi uliotolewa na baadhi ya vyombo vya hata katika vyombo vya Kanisa, mabadiliko yamefanyika katika misingi ya uelewa wa Kanisa la asili na muundo wa kimsingi wa ndoa, na hivyo hakuna mabadiliko kaika Madhumuni msingi na wigo wa mfumo wa Kanisa mahakama. Na wala hakuna mabadiliko katika mafundisho ya Kanisa  juu ya kutengua ndoa, alisema Prof. Conn, SJ. Na kwamba, nayaraka mpya za mabadiliko hazibadilishi kanuni zinazofuatwa na Mahakimu katika  kubatilisha ndoa  na wala hazibadili uhalali wa ndoa,  hivyo, ndoa kubatilishwa linabaki ni jambo linalohitaji uwepo wa ushahidi wa kutosha .

Daily Reading for Friday, September 11th, 2015

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Reading 1, First Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14

¹ Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus appointed by the command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope,
² to Timothy, true child of mine in the faith. Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.
¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength. By calling me into his service he has judged me trustworthy,
¹³ even though I used to be a blasphemer and a persecutor and contemptuous. Mercy, however, was shown me, because while I lacked faith I acted in ignorance;
¹⁴ but the grace of our Lord filled me with faith and with the love that is in Christ Jesus.

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Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11

¹ [In a quiet voice Of David] Protect me, O God, in you is my refuge.
² To Yahweh I say, 'You are my Lord, my happiness is in none
⁵ My birthright, my cup is Yahweh; you, you alone, hold my lot secure.
⁷ I bless Yahweh who is my counsellor, even at night my heart instructs me.
⁸ I keep Yahweh before me always, for with him at my right hand, nothing can shake me.
¹¹ You will teach me the path of life, unbounded joy in your presence, at your right hand delight for ever.

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Gospel, Luke 6:39-42

³⁹ He also told them a parable, 'Can one blind person guide another? Surely both will fall into a pit?
⁴⁰ Disciple is not superior to teacher; but fully trained disciple will be like teacher.
⁴¹ Why do you observe the splinter in your brother's eye and never notice the great log in your own?
⁴² How can you say to your brother, "Brother, let me take out that splinter in your eye," when you cannot see the great log in your own? Hypocrite! Take the log out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter in your brother's eyes.

Tanzania imezindua mradi wa Ujenzi wa kituo cha magonjwa ya moyo

Chumba cha cha upasuaji - ANSA

  
 Serikali imezindua mradi wa ujenzi wa kituo cha ubora wa sayansi ya magonjwa na mishipa ya moyo  nchini Tanzania kitakachokuwa na uwezo wa kutoa huduma za kitabibu na kitafiti kwenye magonjwa hayo kwa nchi zote za ukanda wa Afrika mashariki.
Akizungumza wakati wa uzinduzi huo uliofanyika jijini Dar es Salaam Septemba 10, Mkurugenzi wa Elimu ya juu nchini, Profesa Sylivia Temu, alisema mradi huo unaotekelezwa na serikali kwa ushirikiano na Benki ya Maendeleo Afrika, ni mojawapo ya miradi minne ya afya inayotekelezwa kwenye ukanda wa Afrika Mashariki ikilenga kutatua changamoto mbalimbali za kiafya.
Vile alisema kila nchi ya Afrika inayo miradi ya aina yake kwenye sekta hiyo muhimu , na kwa upande wa Tanzania wamejikita katika kukabiliana na magonjwa ya moyo , mradi huo utakuwa chini ya uangalizi wa Chuo kukuu cha Afya na Sayansi Shirikishi cha Muhimbili (Muhas), ambao utakwenda sambamba na ujenzi wa Kampasi mpya ya Chuo Kikuu hicho , kilichoko eneo la Mlonganzila  jijini Dar Es Salaaam.
 Profesa Temu akiongea pia kwa niaba ya Waziri wa Elimu a Mafunzo ya Ufundi Dk Shukuru Kawamba ,aliongeza kwamba mradi huo utasaidia kupunguza vifo vitokanavyo na magonjwa ya moyo nchini, na kupunguz gharama zinazolikabili taifa kwa sasa kutokana na kusafirisha nje idadi kubwa ya wagonjwa wa moyo kupata matibabu.
 Lakini pia kupitia kituo hiki kitakacho kuwa kikubwa kabisa hapa Afrika Mashariki, wanatarajia kwamba tafiti nyingi za masuala ya kiafya hasa kwenye eneo hili la magonjwa ya moyo zitakuwa zikifanyika  nchini Tanzania na pia kupitia Muhas, watazalisha wataalam wengi wa magonjwa hayo kwa manufaa ya vyuo vingine ndani na nje ya nchi, aliongeza.
Kwa upande wa Makamu Mkuu wa Muhas, Profesa Ephata Kaaya, alisema chuo chake kimejipanga kutekeleza mradi huo mkubwa utakaotekelezwa kwa awamu mbili, awamu ya kwanza utahusisha mafunzo pamoja na maandalizi ya vifaa huku awamu ya pili ikuhusisha ujenzi kamili wa kituo hicho alisema.
Meneja Miradi ya Jamii kutoka Benki ya Maendeleo ya Afrika, Hamis Simba, alizitaja baadhi ya sababu zilizosababisha benki hiyo kufadhili mradi ho kuwa ni pamoja  na kuvutiwa na mikakati ya Tanzania na nchi za Afrika Mashariki kwa ujumla katika kukabiliana na magonjwa ya moyo.
Na Shirika la Utafiti wa Magongwa na Tiba barani Afrika (Amref), limezindua zahanati zilizofanyiwa ukarabati kupitia mradi wa Afya ya uzazi ni haki ya vijana tuitetee' katika Manispaa ya Ilala jijini Dar es Salaam Tanzania
Akizungumza kwa niaba ya Mkurugenzi wa Amref, Meneja wa Mradi huo na mtaalamu wa afya ya uzazi na afya ya watoto, Dk. Beatus Sambili, alisema mradi huo ulianzishwa kwa ajili ya kuwakusanya vijana na kuwapatia elimu juu ya namna ya kupambana na magonjwa ya ngono, maambukizi ya Virusi vya Ukimwi, matumizi ya dawa za kulevya na mimba za utotoni. 
Mbali na uzinduzi wa zahanati hizo, pia  Amref imekabidhi vifaa mbalimbali vitakavyotumiwa na zahanati hizo.Baadhi ya vifaa hivyo ni viti, benchi la kukalia wagonjwa lililotengenezwa kwa plastiki, televisheni, deki, ving'amuzi, meza za ofisini na mbao za matangazo. Aidha, alisema mradi huo ulianzishwa kwa kuzilenga Manispaa za Kinondoni na Ilala kwa Jiji la Dar es Salaam na Manispaa ya Iringa kwa Nyanda za Juu Kusini.
 Alizitaja Zahanati zilizonufaika na huduma hiyo kuwa ni Kiwalani, Vingunguti, Mongo la Ndege na kituo na Pugu Kajiungeni. Wakizungumzia mradi huo, Waganga Wafadhili  wa Zahanati zilizofanyiwa ukarabati na Amref, walisema watatumia fursa hiyo kupambana na changamoto zilizokuwa zikiwakabili katika utoaji wa elimu na huduma mbalimbali kwa vijana kutokana na upungufu wa vifaa.

St. Paphnutius

Short Cuts

Facts

Feastday: September 11

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The holy confessor Paphnutius was an Egyptian who, after having spent several years in the desert under the direction of the great St. Antony, was made bishop in the Upper Thebaid. He was one of those confessors who under the Emperor Maximinus lost the right eye, were hamstrung in one leg, and were afterwards sent to work in the mines. Peace being restored to the Church, Paphnutius returned to his flock, bearing all the rest of his life the glorious marks of his sufferings for the name of his Crucified Master. He was one of the most zealous in defending the Catholic faith against the Arian heresy and for his holiness. As one who had confessed the Faith before persecutors and under torments, he was an outstanding figure of the first General Council of the Church, held at Nicaea in the year 325. Paphnutius, a man who had observed the strictest continence all his life, is said to have distinguished himself at the Council by his opposition to clerical celibacy. Paphnutius said that it was enough to conform to the ancient tradition of the Church, which forbade the clergy marrying after their ordination. To this day it is the law of the Eastern Churches, whether Catholic or dissident, that married men may receive all Holy Orders below the episcopate, and continue to live freely with their wives. St. Paphnutius is sometimes called "the Great" to distinguish him from other saints of the same name; the year of his death is not known. His feast day is September 11.

Papa akutana na Waziri Mkuu wa Kuwait

Papa Francisko akimpokea Waziri Mkuu Kuwait Sheik Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al Sabah - ANSA

(Vatican Radio)  Jumatano, Septemba 10, 2015, Papa Francis alimpokea na kuzungumza nae , Waziri Mkuu wa Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. 
Katika mazungumzo yao ya kirafiki , waligusia mandhari mbalimbali ya maslahi kwa pande zote ikiwemo  michango chanya ya kihistoria ya Wakristo wachache miongoni mwa jamii Kuwait. Na pia walilenga umuhimu wa elimu katika kukuza utamaduni wa kuheshimiana,  mshikamano na ujenzi wa amani kati ya watu tofauti na wenye dini tofauti.

Baada ya Kukutana na Papa,  Waziri Mkuu Sheikh Jaber na ujumbe wake alikutana na Katibu wa Nchi wa Vatican, Kardinali Pietro Parolin,akiwa amefuatana Askofu Mkuu Paulo Ghallager , Mkuu wa Idara ya mahusiano ya nchi za nje wa Vatican. Lengo la kukutana kwao ilikuwa  kutia saini katika Mkataba wa Maridhiano kati Sekretarieti ya Nchi  ya Vatican na Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje ya Nchi ya Kuwait . Utiaji huo wa saini,  ulifanywa na  Askofu Mkuu Paulo Gallagher na Waziri  Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Naibu Waziri katika  waziri wa Mambo ya Nje, Kuwait.
Taarifa inataja kuwa Mkataba huo,  unawezesha utendaji thabiti zaidi kwa pande zote mbili, kuimarishwa  zaidi na kuwa na mahusiano thabiti baina ya nchi, katika kushirikiana , kuheshimiana, kujenga  amani na utulivu wa kikanda na kimataifa.