MIRR R Hallowed be Thy Name - ACN Ireland
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T H E Y E A R O F S T. J O S E P H - 2 0 2 1
ORDINARY TIME
MIRR R
Hallowed be Thy Name
JANUARY
M O N T H O F T H E H O LY N A M E O F J E S U S
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Contents
INTRODUCTION
• Hallowed be Thy Name – Dr. Michael Kinsella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
• The Eucharist: Source & Summit of Christian Life –
Fr. Martin Barta .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
FEATURES
• The Holy Name of Jesus – Wendy Grace ........................... 6
• Saint Telemachus and the Last Gladiators – Conn McNally . . . . . . 8
• His Name is Jesus – Fr. Peter Ewaoche Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
PROJECT NEWS
• Living according to the Heart of Jesus – Africa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
• Partaking in the Divine Nature – Latin America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
• Friends of God in Belarus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
• This is My Vocation – Uruguay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
• A Joyful ‘Yes’ to God’s Love – India. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
• Iraq Church welcomes 2021 Apostolic Visit – John Newton. . . . . . 20
• Murdered for Refusing to Convert and Marry Islamist –
John Pontifex. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS
• St. Joseph: Model of Fatherhood & Manhood –
Fr. Shane Gallagher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
• The Way, the Truth, and the Life – Davide Barbieri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Editor: Dr. Michael Kinsella. Design: Ronan Lynch. Publisher: ACN Ireland, 151 St. Mobhi Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9.
Printed in Ireland. www.acnireland.org
HALLOWED BE THY NAME 1
INTRODUCTION
Hallowed be Thy Name
DR. MICHAEL KINSELLA, DIRECTOR, ACN IRELAND
W
hen I was 12 years My father made the vital point that one
old, I was preparing was not necessarily choosing a name per
to make my se, but a Saint to accompany us, guide
Confirmation – that beautiful us, protect us and intercede for us. St.
Sacrament when the Holy Joseph, who on Earth did all of this for the
Spirit descends upon us as it Holy Family with such extraordinary bravery,
did upon the Apostles at Pentecost. In this tenacity, humility, and sanctity now fulfils
preparation, aside from a sense of excitement this role as Patron of the Universal Church
and wonder, I gave sincere contemplation from Heaven. Thus, thanks to my father’s
to what name I should choose as my sage and wonderful advice, I chose ‘Joseph’
‘Confirmation name’. as my Confirmation name.
‘The sweet Name of Jesus
produces in us holy thoughts,
fills the soul with noble
sentiments, strengthens virtue,
begets good works, and
nourishes pure affection.
All spiritual food leaves the
soul dry, if it contain not that
penetrating oil, the Name Jesus.’
ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX
(1090-1153)
2 ACN IRELAND MIRROR
Though I say that I chose Saint Joseph – in Yet, in a grim irony, we endure a world that
truth, he chose me, and with each passing at present has never been more febrile and
year I give ever more thanks for my father’s unstable because the culture hubristically
sage advice and Saint Joseph’s ever-relia- arrogates ‘thou shalt not take my name or iden-
ble intercession. tity in vain!’ Vast industries make billions of
dollars and wield political and societal
To you my brothers and sisters, in this year power out of all proportion to their com-
which Pope Francis has dedicated as ‘The petence or any rightful claim to authority,
Year of St. Joseph’, I commend you to seek by seeking to take offense and threaten-
his counsel and intercession – as a protec- ing and punishing those who dare to speak
tor of the Holy Family, as protector of our against them.
persecuted and suffering Church and as
the paragon of manhood and fatherhood I speak here of identity politics, and its
that he is. insidious reach has destroyed so many lives
irreparably. In fact, entire nations and peoples
I also note with profound reverence that are held hostage to its demonic influence.
January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Think upon how our culture is so quick to
Jesus. In an era when reverence for the Holy defend and confirm people in their sin, yet
Name of Jesus has never been lower, we should will think nothing of how often media has
always remember that God provided us with turned the name of Our Lord and Saviour
the 4th Commandment – ‘Thou shalt not take into a curse! This is an outrage and contrib-
the name of thy God in vain’ – for the most pro- utes in no small part to the current suffering of
found of reasons: that when we lose reverence the persecuted Church - not just externally but
for His Holy Name, we lose understanding of internally also.
His nature and, thus, our own nature - for Jesus
is the Word made Flesh and to blaspheme His I ask you to keep His Name Holy – and when
Name is to curse the Godhead Himself and the you utter ‘Jesus’, let His Name fill the hearts of
entire redemptive arc of human history.
those who hear It with Faith, Hope and Love!
Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy
My fraternal love to you all.
Name is the among the most important spir-
itual forces: His name is the highest prayer
and the most powerful divine appeal. It
is a source of joy and inspiration to our
missionaries; of strength to our suffering
Church, hope and consolation to our sick Dr. Michael Kinsella
and dying – and has been the last words DIRECTOR, ACN IRELAND
uttered of our beautiful Christian martyrs
for 2,000 years: ‘Jesus’.
HALLOWED BE THY NAME 3
The Eucharist:
Source & Summit of Christian Life
FR. MARTIN BARTA, ACN INTERNATIONAL
Dear Friends, awakened in him a profound longing for
the Eucharist. Every day he attended Holy
A
New Year opens before Mass, in order to be able to receive Jesus.
us, and as we can all see, “To be united always with Jesus – this is
it is not likely to be an my life’s plan”, he would say. He described
easy one. So let us turn all the more, full of the Eucharist as “my highway to heaven”. At
hope, towards the unchanging One who will the age of 15 he fell ill with a grave form of
always surely guide us through the hardest leukaemia and within less than two weeks
of times, Almighty God. Jesus himself he died, on October 12, 2006.
promised us, before ascending into heaven,
His last request was to be buried in Assisi.
His embalmed body now lies – awaiting the
“Behold, I am with you always,
bodily Resurrection as we all shall some day
to the end of the age” – in the church of “Santa Maria Maggiore”,
(Mt 28:20). on the spot where Saint Francis left behind
his own fine clothing in order to commit
And he remains faithful to this promise even himself entirely to God.
to this day, for wherever a priest speaks
the words of Consecration over the bread Like other young people, Carlo was
and wine, the Lord is made truly present fascinated by the world of computers. He
among us, Body and Blood, Soul and took a keen interest in algorithms and
Divinity. computer programming. Yet here too his
love for the Eucharist was central to what
This reality shaped the life of a young Italian he did. Aged just 11, he created a website
who was beatified only very recently, on 10 – now translated into 17 different
October 2020, in Assisi. His name is Carlo languages – on which he documented
Acutis. Born in London in 1991, he grew up no fewer than 136 recorded Eucharistic
an only child in a wealthy family in Milan. His miracles from every continent of the
first Holy Communion, at the age of seven, world (www.miracolieucaristici.org).
4 ACN IRELAND MIRROR
“I believe that many people don’t fully situations to God, as Carlo himself did, “for
understand the value of Holy Mass”, Carlo the Pope and for the Church”. And especially
used to say. He was convinced that “If we for all the priests who through the Holy
spend time in the sunshine, we get a tan. Mass make the Lord present for us on earth.
But if we spend time with Jesus in the And thank you all for supporting the
Eucharist, then we become holy.” His own seminarians who likewise wish to serve
life was the proof of this. His cousin Flavia the Lord in the Eucharistic ministry.
testified that she could not recall ever
having seen Carlo unhappy. “Sadness is With my grateful blessing for a grace-filled
when we look into ourselves. Happiness is New Year,
when we look towards God.”
Dear Friends, may this super - natural
joy accompany you all throughout this Father Martin Barta
coming year and give you strength to ECCLESIASTICAL ASSISTANT,
embrace and offer up even the painful ACN INTERNATIONAL
ITALY: Carlo Acutis’
beatification ceremony
celebrated by Cardinal
Agostino Vallini in the
St. Francis Basilica,
in Assisi.
HALLOWED BE THY NAME 5
FEATURES
The Holy Name of Jesus
WENDY GRACE
N
owadays many people’s name is. It starts with us remembering
exposure to Jesus’ how powerful Jesus’ name is and weaving
holy name rather than it into each part of our day. From thanking
it being in praise and prayer Him for the breath in your lungs in the
is ushered in profanity. It has morning, to asking Him to keep us safe before
become routinely acceptable in we go to sleep.
television scripts and everyday conversation
to do this. It’s not uncommon to hear small “Mummy why did you say Jesus like that”
children imitating adults in this way. I had just stubbed my toe and taken the
Lord’s Name in vain. I had succumbed to the
Our job as parents, is from as early an age modern day aforementioned malaise of how
as possible to inculcate how precious this sadly, Jesus’ name is often profaned. The
6 ACN IRELAND MIRROR
shock on my 3.5 year olds face showed that, in the next generation in the Holy Name of
thankfully, he wasn’t used to hearing Jesus’ Jesus - like “The Way”, “Bread of Life”, “Light of
name uttered this way too often. If you fall in the world”, and talk about what these other
this way, as I did, a quick reparation is to ways of saying Jesus name mean.
instantly say “Blessed be His name”.
St. Paul tells us in the letter to the Phillipians
As a child I used to often hear my mother that Jesus is a name that should be
say “Lord give me patience” and I find myself reverenced by all “at the name of Jesus every
saying it now, but saying it between gritted knee should bend”
teeth and meaning it and genuinely asking
Our Lord for help are two different things. Every time we enter a church as a family we
kneel together in front of Jesus. For your
We must always try our best to focus on the family prayer time, kneel in front of Jesus on
latter. When you ask for the grace to be the Cross. We can never underestimate the
patient, Jesus will give it to you. This is power in ushering Jesus’ name and he told
just one of many examples of the power of us of the power of gathering and praying
praying in Jesus name. together in His name.
We can all get the January blues at this dark, You can use songs to give glory to His name,
sometimes dreary time of year, rather than doing small acts like this as a family can help
focussing on the sun we should focus on the us to try and attone for the irreverent use of
son. We can teach children about asking His name in modern day society and ensure
the Lord Jesus for help in all things, our family understands the glory and honour
praising Him and thanking Him should be it deserves.
part of our daily life.
His is a name that has been proclaimed in
Jesus wants us to call on Him to help us carry every corner of the world. A name that has
our crosses. Be sure to do something extra literally saves lives, saves souls and saves
special as a family on January 3rd, Feast of the Faith. It is the name by which we and
the Holy Name of Jesus. our families can be saved. The persecution
many Christians have faced (which Jesus
There are many beautiful and meaningful himself foretold) for proclaiming His name
names by which we can call Jesus, teaching is in itself testament to its power.
our children and grandchildren about the
meaning of these titles describing Jesus Many saints and missionaries have breathed
and His relationship with humanity is a Jesus’ name during their last breath, we
profoundly important moment of catechesis should hope this will be the last name on our
that will inculcate reverence and confidence lips too.
HALLOWED BE THY NAME 7
FEATURES
Saint Telemachus and
the Last Gladiators CONN MCNALLY
I
f you ask most people what historically recorded gladiatorial fights
comes to their mind when often take place in a funerary context. It
they think of the Romans, is for this reason the Romans used the term
many people would say munera (singular munus) for gladiatorial fights.
gladiators. Gladiator is the
Latin term for a swordsman. The term munus is best understood literally as
Gladiators however developed a more a gift to fulfil an obligation (in this case the duty
specific meaning, that of someone who to honour a dead relative), but it soon became
took part in armed public combat for the highly associated with gladiators. Over the
entertainment of the masses. centuries, gladiators became completely
removed from their original funerary context.
The exact origins of gladiatorial contest
are somewhat uncertain. Some scholars Gladiators are a popular subject of
have suggested it developed as a form of Hollywood films. The historical munera
human sacrifice at funerals, to honour the were not as extravagant or disorganised
deceased person’s shade (spirit). The first as depicted in modern films, but they were
none the less very bloody spectacles with
no regard for the sanctity of human life.
Naturally, Christians in the Roman Empire
were opposed to munera as a clear breach
of the Sixth Commandment.
In AD 325 Constantine issued a decree that
seemed to ban munera. The issue is that
Constantine himself ignored the ban and
instituted gladiatorial contests after this
decree. It is more likely that Constantine’s
decree in practice limited munera by
removing the ability of judges to sentence
criminals to serve as gladiators.
8 ACN IRELAND MIRRORA calendar of games and entertainments still taking place there, presumably in the
in Rome for AD 354 lists ten munera being Colosseum. According to the 5th century
held that year. Over the course of the fourth theologian Theodoret, Telemachus
century, the emperors issued decrees either jumped into the arena to stop the bloody
forbidding or limiting gladiatorial contests. contest. The enraged bloodthirsty crowd
stoned Telemachus to death.
By the late fourth century, the city of
Rome was the only major gladiatorial When word of the incident reached the
centre in the empire. Around this time, St. Western Roman Emperor Honorius’s capital
Augustine described in his Confessions one in the northern Italian town Ravenna, the
of his Christian friends Alypius traveling to emperor issued a forceful decree banning all
Rome and being enthralled by the bloody munera. Unlike previous decrees this decree
spectacle. Rome itself was one of the most completely banned all gladiatorial fights,
stubborn holdouts of paganism in the there is no written record of munera taking
Roman Empire, this is one of the reasons place after AD 404.
why the Eternal City was one of the last
places munera took place in. St. Telemachus, whose feast day is
celebrated on 1st January, is an example
In AD 404, a monk from the Eastern Roman to us all of what we can achieve when we
Empire called Telemachus travelled to have the courage to follow the Gospel
Rome. He was shocked to find munera message.
HALLOWED BE THY NAME 9FEATURES
His Name is Jesus
FR. PETER EWAOCHE JOHNSON
I
n Philippians 2:10-11, it is Nigeria bears the imprint of the strength
written, “At the name of of the Holy Name in contemporary times.
Jesus, every knee shall Despite, sadly becoming the most common
bow, and every tongue ground of Christian persecution, the faith
confess that Jesus Christ is has continued to soar in the country as
Lord to the glory of God the Father.” Christians continue to celebrate and live
their Faith joyfully.
The triumph of the Christian Faith over all
persecutions over the centuries testifies to At churches (that are sometimes just make-
the power and authority of the name, Jesus! shift structures in little corners of offices,
With a simple but profound message of in market squares or farms) it is a common
love and peace, Christianity has continued sight to see Christians spontaneously
to be the sign of God’s presence on earth. bursting into songs of praise to the Holy
10 ACN IRELAND MIRRORName of the Redeemer. In joy or in beautiful people across the country who,
sorrows, amidst great challenges of poverty because they could sing praises to Jesus
and deprivation, the praise of the Name even amidst the most brutal hardships, are
and the trust in its ultimate power to save the happiest people you could ever meet.
remain unshaken.
They continue to renew their strength
This strong faith and hope were what the because they wait on the lord who has
early church and our ancestors in the faith power over every situation. They run and
were known for. They never forgot the words never grow weary, walk, and never faint
of Jesus in John 16:33, “In this world you (Isaiah 40:31). The Lord remains their
will have tribulations, but have courage, strength.
I have conquered the world.” We have the
great heritage of this resilience, joy and hope When we call upon Jesus, no matter how
amidst all challenges. We are never helpless. difficult the situation, He will hear us and
The Emmanuel is ever with us working in will answer us in the most super-abundantly
ways we may not see. generous manner. I implore you, my
beautiful brothers, and sisters in the
So, when you have nothing and the world Faith, to respect Jesus’ Holy Name and to
seems unfair to you, call upon He who especially remember to call upon Him
is Everything. It is the greatest treasure to help our persecuted Church.
we have. In Nigeria, you meet hundreds of We shall overcome!
NIGERIA: Mourners at a funeral for
Christians murdered by Islamic militants.
HALLOWED BE THY NAME 11PROJECT NEWS
Living according to
the Heart of Jesus AFRICA
The 1.35 billion Catholics around
M
any of them are studying and praying
the world make up around 18% in Africa. Even in the apostolic
vicariate of Mongo in Chad, where
of the earth’s population. They Christians make up just 1% of the population
are served by 5,377 bishops and of 3.5 million, and Muslims 95%, there are
414,000 priests. The future of the six seminarians – Matthieu, Apollinaire,
Church lies in the seminaries, Jean-Baptiste, Emmanuel, Louis and
Gregoire-Marie.
where some 116,000 young men
are currently training for the “They know the country and the life in the
priesthood. You are supporting villages. They will take the Gospel message
one in every eight of them. into people’s lives”, says Mongo’s vicar
general. His vicariate is the size of France,
its six parishes enormous, the road networks
utterly inadequate.
The long years of drought have resulted
in sparse harvests, while the coronavirus
pandemic has meant extra expense. But the
seminarians’ training must go on, above all in
this region where native-born priests are so
urgently needed. We are giving €3,000 to help
plug the holes in the seminary budget.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
the needs of the diocese of Inongo are even
greater. Its 57 seminarians face very similar
problems – widespread poverty, vast distances,
DR CONGO: Seminarians of Inongo added expense from the pandemic. But here
ready to serve, in brotherly love.
too their love for Christ is undiminished.
12 ACN IRELAND MIRRORFor Joel Nzenza, one of the 57, it was his His answer, “You must be baptised, go to
first glimpse of a soutane that did it. “It was school, go to Mass every day and then
the first time I had seen a priest. His soutane talk to the priest, who will tell you what
was a radiant white.” Joel was just 10 at the else you have to do.” Ferdinand asked,
time. “He came into our village and spoke so attended catechism classes, was baptised
passionately about Jesus that I thought the and entered the minor seminary. Then
Saviour had come among us”, he recalls. he was forced to abandon it, since he
couldn’t afford to continue. But his father,
He knows now of course that “It was because a teacher but by now out of work, sold his
the priest is speaking to us in the place of last possessions in order to enable him to
Jesus.” He wants to do the same thing. “My continue as far as the major seminary.
formation is helping me to understand
the mystery of the priesthood and to live Now it is the turn of Bishop Donatien
according to the Heart of Jesus”, he says. Bafuidinsoni of Inongo diocese to come
begging on behalf of Ferdinand and the
Again, it was the example of a priest that other seminarians, and he’s knocking on our
inspired Ferdinand Ikela to recognise his door as well.
vocation. He was just eight years old, and the
manner in which the priest lived and worked We are helping him and his 57 seminarians
made a deep impression on him. It was his this year with €28,500. For as Pope Francis has
own parish priest. “I wanted to understand said, “No vocation is born of itself or lives
how one could live that way; I wanted to for itself. A vocation flows from the heart of
become like him.” Ferdinand asked his father God and blossoms in the good soil of faithful
what he must do to become a priest. people, in the experience of fraternal love.”
DR CONGO: Seminarians of Inongo, we want
to proclaim the message of Jesus.
HALLOWED BE THY NAME 13PROJECT NEWS
Partaking in the Divine Nature
LATIN AMERICA
‘Conformed to Christ’ – the Just 10% of baptised Catholics now regularly
goal and watchword of every attend Sunday Mass. But the yearning for
God, for what the early Church Fathers and
seminarian… To identify with
Saint Peter himself described as “partaking
Christ, to become like him. in the divine nature”, is more deeply rooted in
S
the hearts of these young men than anything
uch is the heartfelt desire of 11 young
the world can offer in the way of power, fame
men from the diocese of Nueve
or fortune.
de Julio currently studying in the
seminary of the Archdiocese of Mercedes-
They long to serve, to lead others to God
Luján in Argentina. Not an easy thing in an
through prayer and the Sacraments. The
environment where, as in Europe and North
Sacraments will come after ordination. But
America, people are increasingly falling away
already they are pointing the way to God –
from the Faith.
training catechists, helping in the parishes,
visiting sick and elderly priests assisting
them in the celebration of Mass, visiting
retirement homes and hospitals. Our Lady
accompanies them everywhere. For they
have embraced that ancient truth: Cum
Petro per Mariam ad Jesum. And so they
become like Christ.
The pandemic has left its mark in Argentina
too. Costs are rising, Sunday collections
falling. Do they get odd jobs to support
themselves, instead of bringing Christ to the
people? We gladly promised €3,700 towards
the cost of their training, so that Jesus can
minister even now to his people.
ARGENTINA:
Sing a joyful song to the Lord…
14 ACN IRELAND MIRRORPROJECT NEWS
Friends of God in Belarus
Comprehensive, thorough and In the 30 years since the seminary was first
faithfully Catholic – these are founded, over 200 priests have gone through
its doors – friends of God, ready to renew the
the hallmarks of the academic
face of the earth, whether here in Belarus, in
and theological formation in the Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan or Lithuania.
diocesan seminary of Hrodna And in their own troubled land especially,
(Grodno). these 25 seminarians from the diocese of
Hrodna will actively proclaim the message
A
nd additionally, as a matter of course, of peace. The seminary is facing a critical
the formation of a mature personality economic situation.
(in the past it would have been called
the formation of a virtuous life). We have promised the rector, Witali
Wojciechowski €20,000 for the formation
For the 25 seminarians in Hrodna this of his young seminarians. For we could not
includes, first and foremost, daily Holy Mass possibly abandon them at this critical time.
and regular daily prayer each morning,
midday, afternoon and evening. Their aim
is to be and become friends of Jesus, who
said to his disciples, “No longer do I call you
servants… but I have called you friends…”
(Jn 15:15).
It is a friendship they also nurture by
bringing God’s love to others in concrete
ways – in pilgrimages, in the local parishes,
in prayer groups with young people, visits to
orphanages and retirement homes, caring for
the handicapped, or indeed helping to spruce
up the cemetery in readiness for important
feast days such as Easter and All Souls. BELARUS: Training aid for 25 seminarians
at the seminary of the Diocese of Grodno.
HALLOWED BE THY NAME 15PROJECT NEWS
This is My Vocation
URUGUAY
H
“The love of God sometimes follows enry Bukenya from Uganda is a good
paths one could never have imagined, example of this. He was willing to be
but it always reaches those who are found, yet no one could possibly have
willing to be found.” So said Pope foreseen it. For his mother died giving birth
Benedict XVI at the 50th World Day of to him. “I never knew her”. His father did
not want to know him, for he already had
Prayer for Vocations.
three other wives, and seven children.
It was his grandmother who took little Henry
in, had him baptised and brought him to the
school, to the parish. It was there he heard
about the Mother of God. “Mary is my Mother.
Whenever I had problems I went to her. And
also to say thank you to her. I still do so today.
She accompanies me throughout my life.”
Henry was introduced to the Rosary club,
a group of children with a special love for
Our Lady who were taking part in the Rosary
campaign “A Million Children praying the
Rosary”. Over 10,000 children in Uganda were
now meeting twice weekly to pray the Rosary.
Henry was one of them, faithful year after year.
Blythe Kaufmann, who founded the Rosary
club, soon spotted him. Not all the children
prayed with quite so much devotion as Henry
did. “Mary always leads us to Jesus”, he says,
with a smile that says still more. For it was
URUGUAY: “Wherever God may send me” – Mary who led him to recognise within his heart
Henry Bukenya. the vocation to the priesthood.
16 ACN IRELAND MIRRORSo he began his philosophy studies, hoping to But here too there were problems, for he was
become a priest. But there are many vocations the only seminarian; that hardly constitutes
in Uganda, and the selection process is a strict a seminary. Once more Mary came to his
one. His family situation, his father with his aid. Henry has found a home with the Holy
three wives, was what told against him. He was Family congregation and is studying theology
not admitted to the seminary. at the university faculty. Within three years
he wants to complete his studies and then
But Henry did not give up. Once again he “serve God for the rest of my life, wherever
turned to his Mother, and again, and again.
He may send me. This is my vocation”.
He managed to scrape by with casual work,
helping out in the parish, and above all in
Henry was willing to be found and be led to
the Rosary club. Blythe sensed his genuine
Uruguay. It is a country so heavily secularised
vocation and spoke to Bishop Jaime
that it can almost be described as atheistic or
Fuentes from Uruguay, who was visiting
Uganda at the time. neopagan. Priests have a hard time here, and
black priests still more so.
The bishop began an intensive correspond-
ence with Henry, a young man by now, and Henry knows this; so he prays and studies.
could see that he was serious about it. They The diocese can scarcely afford his university
decided between them that Henry would fees and has asked us for a subsidy of €1,270.
travel to Uruguay and study theology in the Henry merely pleads humbly, “Holy Mary,
diocese of Minas. Seat of Wisdom, pray for me.”
Training In three years Henry will be a priest: the seminarian in the parish.
HALLOWED BE THY NAME 17PROJECT NEWS
A Joyful ‘Yes’ to God’s Love
INDIA
For those with faith, life is
T
his is above all true of the loving
dedication of the priest, day by
a love story. For faith is the day and throughout life, as that
“wonderful way of realising great Doctor of the Church Saint Thomas
love in life through the vocation Aquinas put it in the last known words we
have from him:
to follow Christ”, according to
Pope Saint John Paul II. “For love of Thee I have watched,
studied and laboured. Thee have I
preached; Thee have I taught. Never
have I said anything against Thee ...
but if I have written aught erroneous
..., I submit all to the judgement and
correction of the Holy Roman Church,
in whose obedience I now pass from
this life.”
It is for a life such as this, in love of God
and obedience to the Church, that all
the seminarians are now preparing. They
already felt this in their hearts when they
said yes to the call of God, and they know
that as priests they will “continue the work of
redemption on earth” as the holy Curé of Ars
once put it.
This is the core of their vocation, the seed
Study: “For love of Thee”,
that is nurtured and tended with such loving
and all mankind. care in the seminary. For “ultimately, it is
18 ACN IRELAND MIRRORnot administrators and managers we are It is a training that equips them to
training, but brothers and fathers, who accompany others through life, for later it
will accompany the people on their journey will be their task to “comfort the fearful,
through life.” Pope Francis. embrace the weak, refute enemies, guard
against the importunate, instruct the
In the Carmelite seminary in Calcutta ignorant, rouse the slothful, admonish
(Kolkata), in India’s West Bengal, 18 young the proud, encourage the failing, pacify
men are currently training for this life. They the quarrelsome, help the poor, free the
come from all over India to the central oppressed, acknowledge the good, suffer
seminary of the order, which is dedicated to the bad and, oh – love them all!”, to quote
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the Patroness of Saint Augustine’s description of his daily life.
the Missions. Here they grow as brothers, in
unity of spirit, regardless of which corner of But even this training in love still costs
India they come from. In this unity they draw money. The seminary can cover almost 80%
strength for their future life. For now though, of its annual costs. They have asked us for
their life is filled with study, garden work, the remaining €5,400, so they can make
and above all prayer. ends meet. Surely, their joyful yes to God’s
love must be worth that much to us?
“Rejoice in the Lord always...” (Phil 4,4) ....
HALLOWED BE THY NAME 19PROJECT NEWS
Iraq Church welcomes 2021
Apostolic Visit JOHN NEWTON
Iraq’s Christians have
S
yriac Catholic Archbishop Nizar
Semaan of Hadiab-Erbil warmly
welcomed news that Pope greeted the announcement made today
Francis will travel there for (Monday, 7th December) that Pope Francis
Spring 2021 – the first time any will visit Iraq from 5th – 8th March 2021 –
including Erbil, Mosul and Qaraqosh in the
pontiff will have visited the Nineveh Plains where Christians were forced
country. from their homes by Daesh (ISIS).
Speaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church
in Need (ACN), Archbishop Semaan said: “I
am full of happiness. This is just the greatest
news because I think the visit will have a big
impact of the lives of Christians in Iraq. The
IRAQ: Syriac Catholic Archbishop Nizar Semann of Hadiab-Erbil at the Church of the
Immaculate in Qaraqosh (Baghdeda), one of Iraq’s largest churches.
20 ACN IRELAND MIRRORPope’s decision to visit is a sign of the Holy the closeness and concern of the Pope
Spirit at work.” for the Christians in the Middle East. His
visit will strengthen them and spark new
He added: “This announcement that the courage to stay in their homeland. Without
Pope is coming to visit us shows how the support of the Holy Father and the
much the Pope cares about Christianity universal Church, these communities in the
in the Middle East and especially in Iraq.” cradle of Christianity are threatened with
Archbishop Semaan pointed out that plans disappearing.”
by both Pope St. John Paul II and Pope
Benedict XVI to visit Iraq had unfortunately In 2020, thanks to the extraordinary
been frustrated. generosity of ACN benefactors worldwide,
including in Ireland, together we have been
In 2000 Pope John Paul II planned to visit able to provide nearly €35 million in urgent
Ur, believed be the birthplace of Abraham, aid supporting at least 11,800 displaced
but negotiations with Saddam Hussein’s Christian families who fled ISIS when they
government broke down, so the trip could seized Iraq’s Nineveh Plains in 2014.
not go ahead.
This has enabled local ecumenical initiatives
The archbishop said: “Pope John Paul II to help rebuild Christian areas destroyed by
had hoped to come, Pope Benedict had Islamic militants, including homes, churches,
hoped to come and now finally Pope Francis and community centres. Your charity
will be making the visit to our country. We towards our persecuted brothers and
appreciate the significance of the visit as sisters in Iraq is helping the Holy Name of
we know how difficult it will be – we are still Jesus be spoken out loud and in reverence
dealing with the COVID emergency, the Pope in places where only recently to do so
is old and does not travel much so his visit meant execution.
is all the more important and a sign of our
place within the universal Church.” Stressing
the importance of the trip for people of all
faiths in Iraq, he added: “The visit will show
how much we all stand together.”
Dr. Thomas Heine-Geldern, executive
president of ACN (International), said:
“The visit is a sign of hope for the afflicted
Christians who have faced a ‘way of the
cross’ of persecution and discrimination
for decades. This trip is another sign of
HALLOWED BE THY NAME 21PROJECT NEWS
Murdered for Refusing
to Convert and Marry Islamist
JOHN PONTIFEX
A MANHUNT is
P
olice are searching for Muhammad
Shehzad, who shot Miss Bibi
underway in Pakistan
multiple times in the head. The man’s
for a Muslim man accomplice, known as Faizan, has been
accused of shooting taken into custody following the incident on
Monday (30th November). Faizan is reported
dead a Christian
to have picked up Sonia on a motorbike and
woman who refused to marry taken her to meet Mr. Shehzad who then
him and convert to Islam. turned on the girl.
Sonia Bibi, 24, was reportedly
Sources close to Catholic charity ACN Ireland
shot dead at the Fazaia Colony say that, just days before her death, Miss
bus stop in Rawalpindi, close Bibi and her family refused Mr Shehzad’s
to the capital, Islamabad. marriage proposal. Miss Bibi was a domestic
cleaner and there is concern for the welfare
of her family for whom she was the main
breadwinner.
As well as her parents, Miss Bibi leaves
behind four younger siblings – three
sisters and a brother. The incident comes
amid growing concerns about the safety
of Christian and in Pakistan, such as Maira
Shahbaz, who has received death threats
after escaping from a Muslim man who forced
her to marry him and convert to Islam.
Sonia Bibi.
22 ACN IRELAND MIRRORDr. Michael Kinsella, National Director of government must acknowledge the
ACN Ireland expressed his sorrow at the wider nature, extent, and response to
murder. Christian persecution internationally.
“We extend our deepest and most Otherwise, not only there will be more
prayerful condolences to Maira’s tragic cases such as Sonia’s but Ireland
parents who have tragically lost Sonia, and the EU will rightfully be guilty of
their eldest daughter. Sonia’s killing wider complicity in turning a blind
demonstrates the mortal danger eye to the most prevalent prejudice
Christian girls and young women and persecution in the modern world:
constantly often face in Pakistan, against Christians.”
where they are under enormous
pressure to marry Muslim men and Lahore-based human rights activist Sajid
abandon their infinitely precious Christopher, from the Human Friends
Catholic faith. Organisation in Pakistan, told ACN: “The
killing of Sonia Bibi is a terrible and horrific
It is urgent that meaningful and lasting act. She was killed for declining the offer to
action is taken to ensure the safety of convert and marry. I strongly condemn this
Christians by authorities in Pakistan. act. My deepest sympathies for the family of
I note again that the EU and the Irish this innocent Christian victim.”
‘And whatever you ask
in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be
glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me
in my name, I will do it.’
JOHN 14:13-14
HALLOWED BE THY NAME 23SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS
St. Joseph: Model of
Fatherhood & Manhood
FR. SHANE GALLAGHER
P
adre Pio once said “Go is under attack, we need the calm fatherly
to Joseph with extreme guidance of St. Joseph to guide her to
confidence, because I do safety as he once saved the child Jesus
not remember having asked from “imminent peril” as the prayer goes.
anything from St. Joseph, Pope Francis speaks of the fatherhood of St.
without having obtained it Joseph under various titles in his Apostolic
readily”. Letter declaring the Year of St. Joseph.
I would like to think that it were sentiments The Holy Father in the first part of his
such as these which prompted Pope Francis Apostolic Letter on St. Joseph entitled
to declare a Year of St. Joseph on December Patris Corde which means “With a Father’s
8th 2020. At this uncertain time in the heart”, speaks of St. Joseph’s simplicity and
world when it is very clear that the Church lowliness. He states in the early part of the
‘Though you have
recourse to many Saints
as your intercessors,
go espiecially to Joseph,
for he has great power
with God.’
ST. TERESA OF AVILA
24 ACN IRELAND MIRRORletter that St. Joseph is very close to our own The Apostolic Letter by the Pope on St.
human experiences today. Joseph is worded in a very reflective way
but I felt an opportunity was missed. In 2015
He speaks about ordinary people who are Bishop Thomas Olmstead of Phoenix Diocese
living through this difficult time who are in the U.S. wrote a Letter to all Catholic men.
overlooked. The Pope is right to say this but I It was entitled “Into the Breach”.
felt drawn to talk about a demographic that
is overlooked in the words of the Pope-the All men should read this letter as it is
tragic plight of the modern man. If you go to inspirational. It relates to a sad truth in three
any Church Mass in Ireland you will find parts. The first being the fact that men no
that the majority of people attending are longer know what it is to be a man. The
women and children. second part was that men no longer know
how to love. The third part links in with what
Fathers and single men are absent. Pope Francis is talking about primarily-
Children are growing up in single parent Fatherhood.
houses as fathers skip their responsibilities.
Less men are getting married or becoming Why is it so crucial to every man? Men
priests. These statistics all point to a huge according to Bishop Olmstead no longer
crisis that we should be focusing on in the know what it is to live true fatherhood
Year of St. Joseph. The modern man has in society. The identity of men today is
lost his way. diluted by aggressive Marxist neo-feminist
movements/media whose deliberate
‘St. Joseph has the
power to assist us in
all causes, in every
necessity, in every
undertaking.’
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
HALLOWED BE THY NAME 25agenda it is to sow seeds of confusion them feel lesser in front of each other’s eyes.
concerning the role of men and women in Satan has achieved his aim.
the family and in society.
St. Joseph collaborated with Our Lady.
The Catechism teaches that men and Therefore he knew what it was to be a
women complement each other in love. man, how to love and to be a good father.
In other words men and women work Indeed the diluting of the male identity
together not in opposition but in
even within seminaries and parishes in
collaboration for the building up of society.
the Catholic Church where priests/bishops
The feminist/media mantra is that men and
roles have been undermined often through
women are competing in opposition to each
other in a power struggle. the infiltration of Marxist/feminist parties
tells us that prayer to St. Joseph has never
Words like “inequality” are often used to been more needed than in this time.
generate anger and distrust even in the
most sacred of relationships-primarily The Church needs to rediscover through
marriage. This has caused men and women devotion to St. Joseph-what a man is within
to form a distorted view which has made God’s sacred plan for mankind.
‘If we only knew how
God regards this
sacrifice, we would risk
our lives to be present at
a single Holy Mass.’
PADRE PIO
26 ACN IRELAND MIRROROF MERCY
r 2015 - 20th November 2016
An Apostolic Exhortation to Catholic Men
in the Diocese of Phoenix
t for a man among them
ld up the wall and stand in
efore me for the land...”
ZEKIEL 22:30
Thomas J. Olmsted,
Bishop of Phoenix
NEW
N
I O
G
T
E L I Z A
he Church in Need
w.acnireland.org
Aid to the Church in Need
d 1 14/01/2016 09:56
An Apostolic Exhortation to Catholic Men,
my Spiritual Sons in the Diocese of Phoenix
by Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted,
Bishop of Phoenix
acnireland.org/shop
“And I sought for a man among them
who should build up the wall and stand in the breach
before me for the land…”
Ezekiel 22:30
HALLOWED BE THY NAME 27SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS
The Way, the Truth,
and the Life
DAVIDE BARBIERI, ACN IRELAND
L
ooking at Jesus – the Way, authentically when we do so according to
the Truth, and the Life – at His Holy Will, professing His Holy Name
the beauty of His Being, above all others.
fully Divine and fully Human,
we should ask ourselves as Thus, in uniting our heart with Christ’s, we
honestly as possible: know that every step taken in Faith is Jesus
speaking to us and through us.
• “Is my way of speaking and acting
genuine in revering His Being?” We cannot see the heart, but it allows us
to live – when it stops beating, we will die.
• “Do I fully understand and appreciate The heart, thus, in making life possible is
the importance and sanctity of His Holy a sign of life… not only physical life, but
Name: am I praising or cursing It?” of truth, of freedom, of beauty, and of
humility. Everything begins from the heart;
• “Do I see Jesus alive around me, and if the heart gets sick, everything gets sick.
or in me?”
Because of this, Jesus, who sees inside our
Sometimes in our daily life, being genuine hearts, proposes to us, and makes us capable
does not always come naturally; we must of living a sincere way of life – genuine,
truly seek it in imitation of Christ. Sometimes wholesome, and luminous! He can do it
we are like the Pharisees, and we live falsely because He gave His life for us; it is up to us to
out of greed, indifference, or fear. trust, to allow ourselves to be guided and to
not suffocate the call inside of us, the call of
So, then, in finding the source of truth, of that Jesus’ Heart, deep down in our conscience.
fountain of life, light and courage to live one’s
Faith in this world our heart and His heart Always remember: Jesus gave us His life,
beat, as it were, as one heart. His heart is in and in giving us His life gave us eternal life –
us when we live authentically – and we live all we need do is call upon His Holy Name!
28 ACN IRELAND MIRROR2021 Calendar
2021
Calendar
acnireland.org
ACN_2021_Wall_Calendar_Art.indd 1 09/10/2020 17:08
OUR BEAUTIFUL CALENDAR FEATURES:
Images from ACN’s work among the suffering and persecuted Church.
Inspiring quotations from the Holy Bible.
Highlighted Feast Days and Holy Days of Obligation for 2021.
“You shall call His name Jesus, “There stood by SYRIA: Two women pass next to a statue of the Virgin Mary
placed on a stone to protect from any evil, Damascus.
for He will save His people the cross of Jesus,
from their sins”. His Mother.”
MT.1:21 JN.19:25
Order yours today on
acnireland.org/shop IRAQ: A temporary home for several
thousands of Christian refugees near Erbil.
January 2021 October 2021
or by calling
THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS THE HOLY ROSARY
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 2 1 2
+353 (0)1 837 7516
New Years Day
Solemnity of Mary, Ss Basil the Great & St. Theresa of
Mother of God Gregory Nazianzen The Child of Jesus The Guardian Angels
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Epiphany of the Lord
RoI
SECOND SUNDAY St. Raymond TWENTY SEVENTH SUNDAY
OF CHRISTMAS St. Elizabeth Ann Seton St. Andre Bessette of Penyafort OF ORDINARY TIME St. Francis of Assisi St. Faustina St. Bruno Our Lady of the Rosary St. Denis and comp.
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Solemnity of Mary, Solemnity of Mary, Solemnity of Mary, TWENTY EIGHT SUNDAY Our Lady
BAPTISM OF THE LORD St. Hilary Mother of God Mother of God Mother of God OF ORDINARY TIME St. Canice of Fatima St. Callistus, Pope St. Teresa of Avila St. Gall
17 18 19 20 21 22 24 17 18 One
Million
19 20 21 22 23
+44 289 531 3369
Children
praying the Rosary –
SECOND SUNDAY OF St. Fabian & TWENTY NINTH SUNDAY
ORDINARY TIME St. Sebastian St. Agnes St. Vincent St. Marianne OF ORDINARY TIME for unity and peace. St. Paul of the Cross St. John of Capistrano
24 ORD.
3rd IN
TIME 25 26 27 28 29 30 24 ORD.
30th IN
TIME 25 26 27 28 29 30
NI
4th IN
ORD. TIME 30 Conversion of St. Paul Ss Timothy & Titus St. Angela Merici St. Thomas Aquinas St. Aidan
31st IN
ORD. TIME 31 Bank Holiday St. Otteran
Ss Simon and Jude,
Apostles St. Colman
A world in which Christianity can thrive everywhere. www.acnireland.org A world in which Christianity can thrive everywhere. www.acnireland.orgSo great is the Most Holy Name of Jesus that God
highly exalted Him and gave Him the Name that is above
every name, so that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bend;
in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every
tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
ST PAUL THE APOSTLE
(DIED C. 64-67 AD) (PHIL 2:9-11)
St. Joseph’s, TEL +353 (0)1 837 7516 Registered Charity No:
151 St. Mobhi Road, +44 289 531 3369 CHY 9492
Glasnevin, EMAIL info@acnireland.org CRA No: 20023768
Dublin 9 WEB www.acnireland.org
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