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November 30, 1999
ADVENT IS A DIRECT PREPARATION FOR THE GREAT JUBILEE
The Holy Father made reference to the task of evangelization necessary to respond "to the challenges of secularization and to a certain detachment from the traditional values of Christianity."
"In the face of the present crisis of values, may your Christian witness in families be clear and generous. Be the primary guardians of the purity of children and adolescents. Commit yourselves in order that the doors of the heart be thrown open and Christ may enter into the lives of all the inhabitants of your neighborhood. Do not lose heart in the face of the inevitable difficulties. God supports you with His grace and will render your pastoral initiatives fruitful."
REPORT: AMERICA'S KIDS IN TROUBLE
Teen pregnancy, abuse and neglect at home, inadequate child care, poor schools and lack of health care are among the biggest dangers threatening America's children, according to a new report.
The report, ``Ten Critical Threats To America's Children: Warning Signs for the Next Millennium,'' also lists such threats as substance abuse, poverty, absent parents, crime and dangers in the environment.
The study is the work of the National School Boards Association, the National League of Cities, Hollywood, Fla.-based Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital and Youth Crime Watch of America.
``The problems confronting our children truly are challenges to all of America,'' said Mary Ellen Maxwell, president of the National School Boards Association. ``Either we meet these challenges or they will become obstacles to our future.''
(Reuters) - More and more underage girls in Scotland are , according to a study published on Monday.
Researchers said the data was part of an international trend. "There is data that shows this is part of an international trend. One of the conclusions you see from other countries is that children embark on an adult lifestyle at a much younger age," said researcher Candace Currie.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
143. If it is only in times of adversity that you remember the Judge and
how awe-inspiring and impartial He is, you have not yet learned 'to serve
the Lord with fear and rejoice in Him with trembling' (Ps. 2:11). For even
in a state of spiritual peace and blessedness you should still worship Him
with reverence and awe.
November 29, 1999
(Eph 6:11-12) Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
SLASHES UK CHURCHGOERS WITH SWORD
(Reuters) - A brandishing a sword burst into a packed London church on Sunday and attacked the congregation, off one man's finger and thumb, slashing another's neck and wounding eight others, police said.
The man entered Saint Andrews Church in Thornton Heath, south London and struck at worshippers as they celebrated morning mass.The priest taking the service said he was horrified by the attack, and hoped the culprit would find help. "I'd like to know why anyone should do this kind of thing," he said. "If he is a drug addict or has a grudge against God or society, well, please God, he'll be helped."
The church held a separate service on Sunday evening to pray for the injured, their friends and relatives.
2000 PARTY PITS 'BIG OLIVE' AGAINST SPIRITUAL GATHERING
SAN FRANCISCO -- As thousands of worshipers gather on New Year's Eve in Union Square to sing songs, recite poetry and welcome the year 2000 with piety and reflection, a seven-story martini glass will tower above them, ready to drop an enormous olive at the stroke of midnight.
Although this pairing of the secular and the spiritual has some leaders of the interfaith worship shaken and stirred, organizers of each event are unwilling to change their plans.
``I would hope we wouldn't have that type of a distraction,'' the Rev. Cecil Williams said of the martini glass. ``It is not consistent with what we're trying to have.''
Others, however, contend that the two events are a perfect example of San Francisco's eccentricities.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
142. Do you have a longing for prayer? Then leave the things of this
world and live your life in heaven, not just theoretically but in angelic
action and godlike knowledge.
November 28, 1999
(Mark 9:36-37) He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."
Take a good look at this picture. It's one of the most remarkable photographs ever taken. The tiny hand of a foetus reaches out from a mother's womb to clasp a surgeon's healing finger. It is, by the way, 21 weeks old, an age at which it could still be legally aborted. The tiny hand in the picture above belongs to a baby which is due to be born on December 28. It was taken during an operation in America recently. Paul Harris reports on a medical development in the control of the effects of spina bifida ... and on a picture which will reverberate through the on-going abortion debate here.
Your first instinct is to recoil in horror. It looks like a close-up of some terrible accident. And then you notice, in the centre of the photograph, the tiny hand clutching a surgeon's finger.
The baby is literally hanging on for life. For this is one of the most remarkable photographs taken in medicine and a record of one of the world's most extraordinary operations.
OPENING CEREMONY OF RELIGIOUS CONFERENCE OFFERS MORE POLITICS, LESS RELIGION
The conference brings together more than 600 leaders and believers of the world's various religions and faiths. Participants will tackle the impact of religion on world peace at the dawn of the new century.
Jordan's King Abdullah II, guest of honor at the event's opening ceremony Thursday, aimed an unexpectedly fierce attack at Israel's stance on the future of Jerusalem.
"Jerusalem is too sacred and too symbolic for it to belong exclusively to one party," he said. "It can accommodate two capitals, one Palestinian and one Israeli, and belong, as it should, to the entire world at the same time," the king said.
(Zec 12:2-3) "I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
141. So long as you have not renounced the passions, and your intellect is
still opposed to holiness and truth, you will not find the fragrance of incense
in your breast.
November 27, 1999
(Rom 8:19 -23) The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the . We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
SHOWER OF VOLCANIC ASH CONTINUES OVER ECUADOR CAPITAL
(AP) _ New eruptions from Ecuador's Pichincha volcano sent heavy showers of ash raining down onto the capital Friday and prompted officials to close schools and order the airport shut for at least six days.
A column of vapor, ash and gases blew 9 miles into the sky late Thursday and was carried by strong winds several miles east over Quito, scientists said.
The volcanic explosion, the latest in a series of eruptions, was followed by several seismic tremors and smaller volcanic bursts throughout the night.
NICARAGUA VOLCANO PROMPTS EVACUATION
(AP) - The releases of gases from the San Cristobal volcano has prompted the government to order the evacuation of 500 nearby residents, Nicaraguan news media reported Wednesday.
The 5,775-foot volcano, about 95 miles west of Managua, had been dormant for five years, before rumbling back to life Sunday with an eruption that left a thin layer of gritty, gray volcanic ash on four villages.
(AP) An ocean-centered 7.1-magnitude earthquake sent a giant wave (tsunami) crashing over parts of Pentecost Island in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu on Saturday, killing at least five people.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
140. Do not try to avoid the fullers. Let them beat, trample, stretch and
smooth; and your garments will be all the brighter.
November 26, 1999
(Dan 12:4) But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."
DEAD SEA SUB DIVES FOR LOST CITY OF SODOM
Sodom, the biblical world's most sinful city, is about to get its first visitor since Lot left in haste as it was destroyed by heavenly fire 4,000 years ago.
A British researcher will this week venture to the bottom of the Dead Sea — where Sodom's remains are thought to lie — in a mini-submarine.
Michael Sanders, a Leeds-born biblical scholar, has found what appears to be the remains of the city under the surface of the Dead Sea by studying satellite pictures taken by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). His findings have been backed by the Dead Sea research unit from Tel Aviv University, whose scholars are on site with him.
"We are about to embark on our first dive. Finding the biblical city of Sodom would be the greatest achievement of my life," he said last week.
The dives come just as the British Museum prepares to announce the results of its research in the area, which appears to confirm that Sodom was located there. A team excavating a Byzantine church has found what is thought to be the legendary Cave of Lot hidden behind it.
GAMMA RAY FINDING MAY OPEN NEW WINDOW ON UNIVERSE
(CNN) -- NASA scientists say a new finding on the properties of gamma-ray bursts could open "a new window on the distant universe" and offer fresh insight into its beginnings -- and perhaps its eventual demise.
Astronomers say the revelation could make it possible to determine the geometry of the universe throughout its various epochs, as well as when and where massive stars formed in its very early stages.
"We may get a much better idea of where we came from, and where we're going," said Edward Fenimore, an astrophysicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
139. At night the cunning demons try to disturb the spiritual teacher by
direct attack; in the daytime, they attack him through other people, besieging
him with slander, distraction and danger.
November 25, 1999
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
(2 Cor 4:15-18) All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
CATHOLIC WOMEN STARTLED BY EXPERIENCE AT RETREAT
As a Catholic, Denise Wassmer believes the consecrated flour-and-water wafer that serves as the host in Holy Communion is the body of Christ.
Even so, the 30-year-old Jacksonville woman was unprepared for what she saw Nov. 6 at St. Joseph's Chapel in Mandarin.
While praying in private devotion during a weekend retreat for women, Wassmer said she saw a shadowy silhouette of Jesus in the off-white colored host on display.
"I saw him on his knees looking up to heaven and praying," she said.
Dozens of parishioners saw an image of Christ in the host that Saturday, said the Rev. Bernard Ahern, associate pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, who also witnessed the apparition.
(1 Cor 10:16-17) Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
138. Be ready for the attacks of the demons, and think how to avoid becoming
their slave.
November 24, 1999
(Ezek 6:11) "'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Strike your hands together and stamp your feet and cry out "Alas!" because of all the wicked and detestable practices of the house of Israel, for they will fall by the sword, famine and plague.
HIV-POSITIVE WOMEN IN AFRICA NOW OUTNUMBER INFECTED MEN
(CNN) -- The number of HIV-positive women in Africa has surpassed infected men for the first time, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS announced Tuesday.
Worldwide, an estimated 33.6 million people, including 1.2 million children, are carrying the virus that causes AIDS, program officials said.
About half of all people who acquire the AIDS virus become infected before they turn 25 and typically die before their 35th birthdays, according to the UNAIDS report.
Ninety-five percent of people with HIV reside in developing countries, a proportion that is likely to grow as infection rates continue to rise in countries where poverty, poor health systems and limited resources fuel the spread of the virus, the officials said.
Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be worst-hit, with close to 70 percent of the global total of those with HIV.
Related:
AIDS
DEATHS ON RISE AS NEW MILLENIUM DAWNS
BRITISH
HIV INFECTION RATES HIT NEW HIGH IN 1998
GERMAN BISHOPS TO STOP ISSUING ABORTION COUNSELING CERTIFICATES
(AP) _ The Roman Catholic Church in Germany will stop issuing abortion counseling certificates to women to comply with a renewed demand by Pope John Paul II, the German Bishops Conference said Tuesday.
The church will conclude its certification program in Germany by the end of 2000, according to a spokesman for the conference in Bonn.
To obtain a legal abortion in Germany, a woman must first submit proof of having received counseling on the matter. State-funded counseling is offered by Catholic and Protestant church groups, family planning agencies, the Red Cross and state health centers.
The bishops' move comes three days after a Vatican meeting at which the pope again ordered them to stop issuing the certificates. While the pope encouraged the bishops to continue intensive counseling, he stipulated that they should "no longer issue certificates of counseling, which opened the way for possible legal abortion."
Related: NOW, FORMER LAWMAKER SEEK TO STOP SALE OF 'CHOOSE LIFE' LICENSE PLATE
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
137. If you do good to one person, you may be wronged by another and so feel
injured, and say or do something stupid, thus dissipating by your bad action
what you had gained by your good action. That is just what the demons want;
so always be attentive.
November 23, 1999
RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSY CLOSES CHURCHES IN HOLY LAND
(AP) -- Churches closed throughout the Holy Land on Monday as part of a dispute that has soured Christian-Muslim relations and left Israel caught in the middle.
At the heart of the dispute is a controversy over what to build -- a Muslim mosque or a Christian visitors' plaza -- on a plot of land in Nazareth, the town of Jesus' boyhood. By closing the churches for two days, Christians hope to draw the world's attention to what they say are growing threats to their shrines.
FOR NOAH'S FLOOD, A NEW WAVE OF EVIDENCE
Scientists have discovered an ancient coastline 550 feet below the surface of the Black Sea, providing dramatic new evidence of a sudden, catastrophic flood around 7,500 years ago--the possible source of the Old Testament story of Noah.
A team of deep-sea explorers this summer captured the first sonar images of a gentle berm and a sandbar submerged undisturbed for thousands of years on the sea floor. Now, using radiocarbon dating techniques, analysts have shown that the remains of freshwater mollusks subsequently dredged from the ancient beach date back 7,500 years and saltwater species begin showing up 6,900 years ago.
LOOKING WEAK, POPE LEADS LONG CEREMONY FOR NEWEST SAINTS
(AP) _ Leaning on his staff, Pope John Paul II looked weak and weary Sunday as he gave his church the century's last saints _ 10 priests who gave their lives for their faith in Spain and two Italians.
Including the 12 men he proclaimed saints Sunday, John Paul has named 296 saints since becoming pope in 1978. That's one-half of the 592 saints formally added to the Roman Catholic Church's roll of the holy in the last 500 years.
Throughout his 22-year-long papacy, John Paul has been passionate about singling out men and women of modern times who can serve as role models for Catholics.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
136. Do not think that you have acquired holiness unless you have reached
the point of shedding your blood to attain it. For, according to the Apostle,
we must battle unremittingly against sin even if it means death (cf. Eph.
6:11-17; Heb. 12:4).
November 22, 1999
(Mat 10:22) All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS STEPPED UP
Christians are facing increased persecution, arrest and intimidation by police determined to stamp out the faith and shut churches, according to a new report.
Believers say officers are now forcing Hmong believers less than 30km from the capital, Vientiane, to sign affidavits promising to give up their faith. In more remote provinces more than 40 Christians, particularly hill-tribe believers, are in jail.
S.LANKA SAYS REBELS BLAST CHURCH, KILLING 32
(Reuters) - Sri Lanka's military said on Sunday that Tamil Tiger rebels had fired mortars near a 400-year-old Catholic church in the northern Wanni region, killing 32 and injuring 56 civilians who had taken refuge in the area.The LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) fired mortars indiscriminately at the church in Madhu on Saturday.
The LTTE have been fighting for a separate homeland for minority Tamils in Sri Lanka's north and east since 1983. More than 55,000 people have been killed in the ethnic war.
Related: BANDITS ATTACK RWANDAN CHURCH, WOUND PRIEST
HINDU AND BUDDHIST LEADERS PLEDGE TO UNITE AGAINST CHRISTIAN PROSELYTIZING
(AP) _ Three weeks after the pope called for missionaries to spread Catholicism throughout Asia, Hindu and Buddhist priests Sunday passed a resolution to stay united against proselytizing.
During the assembly, delegates publicly and privately said they were concerned by the pope's comments. Many described conversions as a "war against Hindus and Buddhists" and a "spiritual crime."
Related: INDIA'S RELIGIONS SHOULD UNITE TO FACE CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
135. If you pray to overcome a passion or a demon who is troubling you,
remember the words: 'I will pursue my enemies, and overtake them; and I will
not turn back until they are consumed. I will dash them to pieces and they
shall not be able to stand: they shall fall under my feet' (Ps. 18:37. LXX).
Say this when needed and so arm yourself with humility against your enemies.
November 21, 1999
SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING AND FEAST OF PRESENTATION OF MARY
(Mat 25:31-32) "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
OUR LADY OF EMMITSBURG MESSAGE
Through Gianna Talone Sullivan
(Bishop's
Statement)
at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Emmitsburg, MD November 18, 1999
My dear little children, praise be Jesus!
Little ones, it is a great sorrow for My Son and
a pain in His
Heart when people believe they can have union with God without prayer
and they do not believe in His true presence in the most Blessed
Sacrament or in eternal life after death. Those lost souls are
missing
the great opportunity to know the treasure that is available within
their souls. They separate themselves from God and will not be able
to
see Him unveiled in heaven in all His beauty. Those who contemplate
Jesus will love Him and desire to live every aspect of His life and
death. They will accept their cross, as did My Son, with arms
extended.
They want to share His eternal life.
I tell you, little children, that hell does
exist. Do not be
deceived to think you can have God dwell within you without prayer.
Satan's influence is strong. You must pray. To know God and to
have an
intimate relationship with Him, you must carry Him within your soul
through His grace. Hell is a burning furnace where souls choose to
go
because they ignore or despise God's merciful grace. If you think you
must be wicked in deeds alone to enter hell, you are quite wrong. If
your life is pleasant and filled with all the cares of living but it is
exempt from prayer, you are cultivating an environment in which at the
hour of your death you will be forced to understand how you refused
God's grace. You will receive the Knowledge of Truth and your own
judgement becomes final when you reject God's mercy and you choose to
live forever in hell.
To see God, little children, you must remain in
a state of grace.
You must pray continuously within your souls. I am your Mother who
desires you to awake from the darkness of the world. The greatest
sorrow any soul can suffer is the torture that results to those souls
who go to hell with the knowledge that they will never see God.
Join Me in prayer, little children. Do not
be submerged in
ignorance but absorb the knowledge of God's Truth and light. Share
with
Me the joy of My Motherhood. Peace to you. I take your petitions
to My
Son, your Messiah.
Thank you for responding to My call. AD DEUM.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
134. There are times when the demons suggest thoughts to you and then urge
you to rebut them with prayer; whereupon they withdraw of their own accord,
so as to deceive you into imagining that you have begun to overcome such
thoughts and to rout the demons.
November 20, 1999
A CALL TO ARMS !!
(Joel 2:15-18) Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber. Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, 'Spare your people, O LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'' Then the LORD will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people.
THREE RECENT CALLS FOR PRAYER AND FASTING:
The Father has called the remnant to a fast in the month of November - beginning the day after Thanksgiving. He has asked us, Table of the Remnant, to fast for 12 days. But He has made it clear that even one day will be honored and He will move on His people through the fast they do for Him.
Join your extended family in a nine Sunday Novena of prayer beginning Sunday, November 21 until Sunday, January 16. A forty day fast is also suggested to continue this plea to heaven to save the world from the threat of nuclear peril and domination by evil during these end times.
The following prayer request and insights come from missionary friends in Uzbekistan and concerns the 'spirit' behind Ramadan:
STRATEGY SESSION
We met this morning with the other leaders here to address how God wants us to approach the coming month of "Ramadan". Ramadan is the month of prayer and fasting that is one of the five pillars of Islam. Every year Muslims around the world refrain from eating and drinking during the daylight hours. After sunset and before sunrise they are free to feast on as much food as they can consume. The month culminates in a night of power where people stay up late into the night hours hoping to receive a vision or revelation from God. It is believed a good deed done during this month is worth many thousands done at another time. It is also a time where many Muslims will plead with those that have turned to Christ to renounce Jesus and return to Islam. This often includes threats of physical violence if they don't recant by the end of the month.
Our friends living in traditional Uzbek neighborhoods say it is also a time of increased warfare against their families. Some have frightening dreams difficulty sleeping and even demonic manifestations."
In praying this morning we really felt God calling us not to react but to pro act to Ramadan. We are asking God that this year Ramadan would mark the advance of the kingdom of God and that we would not lose one inch of ground to the enemy. We felt the Lords first direction for us was to sanctify ourselves and get clean hearts before Him. We have set aside the 22nd through 24th of November to fast and pray for personal cleansing and will be praying for strategy at the end of this time. We are hoping to come up with several strategic prayer points to address.
Please remember us during this time of heart preparation and strategizing next week.
Your co-laborer in the Kingdom,
Ed ([email protected])
(Mat 18:19-20) "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
133. If you are praying to overcome some thought, and it subsides easily,
examine carefully how this has come about; otherwise you may be deluded into
attributing the cause to yourself.
November 19, 1999
(Psa 90:10) The length of our days is seventy years-- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
RESEARCHERS IDENTIFY LIFESPAN-BOOSTING GENE
(AP) -- Researchers in Italy boosted the life span of lab mice an average of 35 percent by knocking out a gene that controls cell oxidation, authors of the study said Wednesday in Milan. If further studies bear them out, the findings could offer clues to extending human longevity as well.
"We now know for sure that longevity is genetically controlled," said the study's author, Pier Giuseppe Pelicci. "This is certainly one of the greatest discoveries of this century," the institute's director, Umberto Veronesi, declared at a press conference Wednesday, calling it "on par with the discovery of antibiotics."
FDA HEARING ADDRESSES CONTROVERSY OVER GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS
(AP) Tiny changes in the DNA of plants such as corn, cotton and soybeans could boost everything from their crop yield and hardiness to their nutritional value, scientists, farmers and agricultural company officials told a federal hearing Thursday.
Critics, however, called the genetically modified plants ''frankenfood.'' They want the Food and Drug Administration to make safety trials mandatory, require environmental impact studies on the plants and mandate separate food labels.
Related: Researchers Map Out Tough Bug Genes
BRITAIN EDGES TOWARD "DESIGNER BABIES"
(CWNews.com) -- The British public will soon be asked its opinion on a controversial fertility technique which involves spotting "potentially defective" embryos-- and discarding them.
On November 16, the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing (ACGT) launched a major public- consultation exercise, aimed to gauge public reaction to Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). But pro-life groups say the decisions have already been made and Britain is moving one step closer to the acceptance of "designer babies."
(Exo 20:13) Thou shalt not kill.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
132. Let the virtues of the body lead you to those of the soul; and the virtues
of the soul to those of the spirit; and these, in turn, to immaterial and
pricipial knowledge.
November 18, 1999
(Deu 32:35-36) It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them." The LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free.
50 MILLION REFUGEES, DISPLACED PERSONS CRY OUT FOR JUSTICE
The Holy See's permanent observer to the United Nations, Archbishop Renato Martino, spoke before the Third Committee of the 54th session of the U.N.'s General Assembly yesterday.
"Uprooted, humiliated, deprived of dignity and identity," he said, "millions stand in unfamiliar surroundings calling for help. There is no security for their lives, no guarantee for their future and hopes for a safe return home vanish with time. These catastrophes are willed, prepared and executed by men against fellow men, against women, children and older persons, against the sick and dying."
Archbishop Martino focussed on the urgent need to create "an effective legal instrument to protect internally displaced persons." He said that "the question of refugees and displaced persons, who have every right to lead a normal life is ... a matter of conscience. Almost fifty million of them appeal to the conscience of the international community, not begging for mercy, but crying for justice."
VIA EMAIL Jim Collins:
When I was laid off from my last job, I was overcome by feelings of anxiety and depression. Around June of this year, I was watching a Christian Bible teacher on the local Christian network talking of Jesus' promise that we would be "free" if we believed in Him. I prayed for "freedom of spirit", quoting to Him, His promise.
The result: Within 1 week, I was blessed with "Freedom from fear and worry" and the depression lifted. Since then I have deepened my faith in Him and everytime I feel anxious He sends me reminders to "Trust in the Lord", it's God's Plan, not mine. I met a friend of mine in the restaurant a couple of weeks ago. He said that I was extremely relaxed and self confident. He mentioned how I had changed from the time he had seen me in March (around the time of my layoff).
So now I pray, "keep me from myself", for while I trust the Lord, I don't trust my own reactions.
So to anyone who reads this: "pray for freedom of spirit", and the Lord will free your soul.
My testimony to the goodness and grace of our Lord. Praise be Jesus.
(John 8:34-36) Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
131. Do not shun poverty and affliction, the fuel that gives wings to
prayer.
November 17, 1999
MORE HUMBLING OF THE "GOD" OF TECHNOLGY
(Mat 7:26 -27) But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE FAILURE HALTS SCIENCE WORK
(Reuters) - NASA's Hubble Space Telescope suffered a system failure over the weekend that will leave it unable to transmit any pictures to Earth until the next, much-delayed, space shuttle mission, the space agency said on Monday.
SATELLITE FAILS TO REACH ORBIT, ROCKET DESTROYED AFTER LAUNCH
(AP) _ Japan's space program suffered a major setback Monday when a domestically made rocket developed engine trouble and was destroyed shortly after launch.
See also: BRAZIL ASKS NASA HELP TO RESCUE LOST SATELLITE
NASA PLANES AID ISRAEL TO MONITOR METEORS
Two specially equipped Nasa aircraft will arrive in Israel tomorrow as part of an international effort to monitor the Leonid meteor storm and to help to protect satellites from debris entering the Earth's upper atmosphere.
Such scientific matters are of little interest to the increasing numbers of apocalyptic Christian groups gathered in Israel and the United States. They have been moved to paroxysms of excitement by recent earthquakes in Turkey and Greece, which they believe are portents of a coming Armageddon.
Their doomsday predictions, which involve mass destruction and the "rapture", when believers ascend to heaven, will be further encouraged by the meteor storm, which, like the star that led the Three Wise Men to the birthplace of Christ, will rise in the east over Jerusalem.
Related: http://explorezone.com/archives/99_11/15_leonids_satellites.htm
MORE LEONID LINKS
http://www.herald.com/content/today/docs/002574.htm
http://explorezone.com/archives/99_11/15_leonids_whatsee.htm
http://www.amsmeteors.org/leo99update.html
http://www.leonidslive.com/
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
130. If you receive what has been promised, you will reign over all things;
and, keeping these promises in mind, you will gladly endure your present
poverty, spiritual and material.
November 16, 1999
FATIGUED IN YOUR MINISTRY?
(Heb 10:36-39) You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
THE STARFISH
As the old man walked the beach at dawn, he noticed a young man ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. Finally, catching up with the youth, he hasked why he was doing this. The young man explained that the stranded starfish would die if left until the morning sun.
"But the beach goes on for miles and there are millions of starfish," commented the old man. "How can your effort make any difference?"
The young man looked at the starfish in his hand and then threw it safely in the waves. "It makes a difference to this one," he said.
VIA EMAIL "Jim Collins" :
Just a note that the Holy Spirit is working through you.
I was called this week to respond to a "critic" of the Pope. The critic was obviously a concerned Christian who was sitting in judgment of the Holy Father and intimating that others should do likewise. When I first attempted to respond to the Spirit's call I could not send the email, for it did not feel quite right.
Today (Trib Times 11/12), I received your message about the Pope. It was exactly what was needed.
Thanks. God moves in wonderful ways. Glory be to the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
129. Entrust to God the needs of your body, and it will be clear that you
entrust to Him the needs of your spirit also.
November 15, 1999
POPE IN APPEAL FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY FOR MILLENNIUM
(Reuters) - Pope John Paul, presiding over an ecumenical service attended by Sweden's king and queen, said on Saturday the road to Christian unity was uphill but must be followed.
"A long road lies before us. We must do more, aware of our responsibilities at the dawn of the new millennium," the Pope said in his homily.
MILAN PAPAL CANDIDATE CALLS FOR VATICAN RETHINK
(Reuters) - Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, seen as a possible successor to Pope John Paul, stepped into the spotlight again on Sunday by calling for a "re-thinking" of the role of the papacy in order to achieve Christian unity.
Advance excerpts of the interview were sent to Italian news agencies on Saturday night and Martini's comments were splashed in big headlines in Italian newspapers.
OUR LORD'S
MESSAGE THROUGH FR.JACK SPAULDING
(Bishop's Statement)
at
St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Phoenix, AZ November 11, 1999
My dear ones, I come again to you this night to remind you, once again, that I am always with you and that there is nothing for you to fear. Many, My dear ones, are filled with fear. I give you My peace and My mercy, My love to take away the temptation that you may have to fear. Fear is useless.
My dear one, through My Cross and Resurrection I have overcome sin and death and therefore, I have overcome fear. I invite you again this night to walk with Me, to give yourselves again to Me and again you will experience My peace and My hope.
I love you My dear ones and I ask you this night to give Me yourselves again. There is nothing to fear. I am with you. I give you My blessing, My mercy and peace.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
128. If you wish to pray in spirit, be detached from the flesh, and no cloud
will darken you during prayer.
November 14, 1999
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
PERSECUTION IN CHINA IS INTENSIFIED
(ZENIT).- Friday the Roman newspaper "La Repubblica," echoed the widespread information published by the international agency "Fides," according to which there is a complete secret plan in China to repress the faithful of the Catholic Church.
Via Email "Table of the Remnant":
Hallelujah! Greetings in the Precious Name of our Lord Jesus. Trust these few lines find you all well and rejoicing in the Lord. As for us here, by His grace the battle continues and we are gaining ground! The devil is using his last burst of energy to try to get us but he doesn't realize that the fight's been fixed! We win! The Chief Referee, our Lord is calling the shots and the devil loses at every move he makes! Praise the Lord!
You would be surprised but, I am happy to know you saints, with myself of same faith and same doctrinal stand, preaching Christ and baptising people by Acts 2:38 and believe in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. I am a Missionary-Evangelist serving the Lord in the southern part of India is 56 Villages and 3 different States and serving the orphans, widows and lepers.
Just yesterday one Pastor who was a good friend of mine staying 7 kms from my place was killed by some hindus. The situation is bad here.
In our News Paper Headlines, it has been stated that "STOP CONVERSIONS OR DRIVE CHRISTIANS OUT", they said that all Christians should be driven out of the country unless missionaries stopped converting people forthwith, the Bill has been passed and it listed as,
A. A complete Ban on Conversions
B. Stopping Foreign Missionaries from coming and preaching and make conversion by giving help and Aid.
C. An Immediate Check on negative portrayal of Hindu deities and customs.
They also said that they will continue to build pressure through persecution, rallies and various memoranda to convince the government and hindus people to be away from the Christians and their Christ, stating that Christianity is a religion come from Western countries and god of the white skin.
As you might have heard it in the BBC or CNN News,Our neighbouring state is badly affected by the cyclone and thousands of people have died and most of them have become homeless. There were 12 families from my church who had gone to that state for their livelihood some of them have lost their children and also homeless and people are crying for Hunger and are starving the Government is not able to even send the food and help to the people. Many villages are covered under the water. Many dead bodies are being fished out. There is and epidemic and many people are dying. The Lord has laid a burden upon my heart and I am planning to Visit along with some brethrens and give some help as the Lord provides to the 12 families who are in bad shape. I will be leaving within 10 days to that place. Please pray.
Many people especially small children are dying in our state because of Brain fever. Please pray for our state, for our country.
All is well with us and the orphans, widows and lepers are doing fine and sending their special love and greetings to you, your beloved family. We appreciate your great sacrifice to help the needy and downtrodden to promote the kingdom of God in all over the world, to spread the Gospel.
We request you to uplift us and the ministry in India in you daily prayers, and we do continue to do the same, till Jesus comes.We love you all in the Lord. Hoping to hear from you.
SHALOM!
Yours Because of Calvary,
Boaz J. Kotha
[email protected]
Missionary-Evangelist
P.O.Box 2075,
Secunderabad-500 003
AP-INDIA
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
134. Those engaged in spiritual warfare practise self-control in everything,
and do not desist until the Lord destroys all 'seed from Babylon' (Jer. 27:16.
LXX).
November 13, 1999
(Rev 8:10-11) The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water-- the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.
THEORY: SOME ASTEROIDS MAY BE LIKE CELESTIAL SPONGES
(Reuters) -- All asteroids may not be solid lumps of rock and minerals, according to U.S. researchers. Some have porous structures that would be compacted if they collided with another heavenly body.
"Asteroids are one of the few clues we have about the formation of the solar system," Kevin Housen, a planetary scientist at Boeing, said in a telephone interview on Wednesday.
The porousness of asteroids would make them easier to accrete and merge if they collide at slow speeds. But it would also make an asteroid more difficult to divert from a collision course with Earth because it would absorb explosive energy.
"Even trying to nudge it off course is going to be very hard," Housen added.
HOW AN ASTEROID IMPACT CAUSES EXTINCTION
Imagine: NASA scientists announce they have detected a 10-mile-wide asteroid on a collision course with the Earth. They calculate it will hit Southeast Asia in two weeks. There is no chance of Bruce Willis being sent on a beefed-up Space Shuttle to blow up the asteroid. Earthlings will have to ride out the impact.
The world economy grinds to a halt as people take to the hills. Anarchy sets in, civilisation breaks down. Accusations fly over the lack of warning -- where was Spaceguard, the proposed international search effort for large asteroids?
Computer modelling of asteroid impacts and climatic effects suggest that this devastating sequence of events could happen. Fortunately it is extremely unlikely that this scenario will occur in our time. No known asteroids are on a collision course with Earth. However, every 50 to 100 million years the Earth collides with a comet or asteroid of sufficient size to cause planet-wide devastation.
200 POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS ASTEROIDS
(Mat 5:18) I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
133. The truly repentant is derided by the foolish- which is a sign that
God has accepted his repentance.
November 12, 1999
(Luke 9:23 -26) Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
ITALIAN AUTHOR VITTORIO MESSORI COMMENTS ON PAPAL TRIPS
(ZENIT).- According to Vittorio Messori, co-author with John Paul II of the book "Crossing the Threshold of Hope," in his apostolic trips the Holy Father "gives himself totally, takes up his cross, and could die in the field."
The Italian writer feels that no one should stop the Pope from undertaking these marathon trips, involving interminable flights, and sudden changes of temperature and schedule.
"It would be absurd, as it is an initiative that reflects his desire and, above all because, although he is elderly and sickness leaves its marks, he retains his concern for the apostolate."
"We must let him be a total Christian, until the end, as we must understand that with such a man the criteria we use for the mediocre, like ourselves, is simply inapplicable: we are in the presence of a saint, and the Church will have to recognize him in due course with beatification and canonization," the Italian writer said.
In addition to feeling "the Christian impulse to witness until the end, Wojtyla has the Slavic and Polish romantic temperament of heroism carried to its ultimate consequences," Messori explained.
The author of several best-sellers pointed out a paradox: "When it is most difficult to understand what he is saying in words, because of the effort to articulate, his preaching is even more meaningful: he is witnessing more by the suffering of his own voice than by what he says."
"All this is very logical and beautiful for an heroic papacy like this one: now it is clear that Wojtyla did not undertake trips around the world for tourism, but to be a witness. These trips are his cross; it would be absurd to exert pressure to remove it from him."
ROME REOPENING SECRET CORRIDOR THAT HUSTLED MEDIEVAL POPES TO SAFETY
AP) _ A secret passageway used by popes to flee hostile forces in the Middle Ages will reopen to the public in January after major repairs.
Pope Alexander VI first used the corridor as an escape route in 1494, scurrying through the passage to escape the army of French King Charles VIII. Pope Clement VII fled through the passageway when the troops of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V invaded in 1527, in the infamous sacking of Rome.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
132. It is better to pray devoutly for your neighbour than to rebuke him
every time he sins.
November 11, 1999
A SURPRISE NOVEMBER METEOR SHOWER?
The Earth is headed for a close encounter with the orbit of a newly discovered comet. Found by the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) team on May 12th, Comet LINEAR (C/1999 J3) brightened to 9th magnitude as it made its closest approach to the Sun in September.
On November 11, 1999 at 1941 UT, Earth will arrive at a point in space just 0.0115 AU from the orbit of the comet, 40 days after the comet itself was in the area. If there is a residual swarm of dusty debris left over from the comet's passage, we could be in for an unexpected meteor outburst -- the first known apparition of the 'Linearids.'
The Linearids -- if they materialize -- will appear to radiate from one of the most familiar asterisms in the Northern Hemisphere, the Big Dipper.The author recommends monitoring the sky between local midnight and dawn on November 10, 11, and 12. ("Local midnight" means midnight wherever you live.) The the best time to look for meteors is almost always just before dawn. That's when the Earth's orbital motion is headed most directly into the cometary debris stream.
MORE ON THE LEONIDS METEOR SHOWER
Last year when Science@NASA flew a weather balloon to the stratosphere for a high altitude view of the Leonids, over one million people watched the live webcast or saw the replay the next day at LeonidsLive.com. While the video camera on the balloon captured images of blazing fireballs, an aerogel collecting device may have captured bits of comet Tempel-Tuttle -- the parent of the Leonid meteoroid stream.
This year, with experts predicting an even bigger Leonid display, the meteor balloonists are planning another flight. Liftoff is scheduled for 0630 UT (0130 EST) on Thursday, November 18 from the Marshall Space Flight Center. Web surfers can watch and listen to live transmissions from the balloon at LeonidsLive.com between 0130 and 0430 EST, on November 18th. Replays will be available after the flight.
ARMAGH OBSERVATORY: THE LEONID METEORS
Predicting the most spectacular meteor storms is now a remarkably exact science, with some excellent Leonid displays expected within the next few years, for observers in the right parts of the world. These predictions involve the accurate modelling of dust trails within the Leonid stream.
Related: LEONIDS 1999, A LEONID METEOR STORM IN 1999?
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
131. The paralytic let down through the roof (cf. Mark 2:4) signifies a sinner
reproved in God's name by the faithful and receiving forgiveness because
of their faith.
November 10, 1999
JAPAN GOVERNMENT REPRIMANDS CELL RESEARCH
(AP) The Japanese government on Monday criticized the ethics of a researcher at a Tokyo university who combined a human cell with a cow's egg a procedure officials said was too similar to cloning.
Setsuo Iwasaki, professor at the Tokyo University of Agriculture who carried out the research, defended it as unrelated to cloning and merely aimed at studying leukemia blood cells. He warned that Japan would fall behind the United States and other Western nations in basic research on cells.
HOUSE CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION OF FETAL TISSUE SALES
(Nandotimes) - Though some Democrats objected to language referring to "baby body parts," the House passed a measure Tuesday urging its members to investigate whether private companies are violating federal law by profiting from the sale of fetal parts used in medical research.
Congress lifted a ban on federally funded research involving fetal tissue transplants in 1993 but made it a felony to purchase or sell that tissue for a profit.
The resolution's sponsor, Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., displayed a brochure from a company, which he said no longer has a known address or phone number, that listed prices for fetal parts, including "$50 for eyes, $150 for lungs and hearts and $999 for an eight-week brain.
"Unfortunately, entrepreneurs appear to have found a profitable niche within the abortion industry and have begun to traffic in the body parts of aborted babies," he said.
BABIES BORN TO UNMARRIED PARENTS UP
(AP) - The portion of babies born to unwed parents has increased fivefold since the 1930s, according to a new Census report that documents the trend. It found that in 1990-94, 41 percent of these births were out-of-wedlock. That's a five-fold increase since 1930-34, when just 8 percent of these babies were born to unmarried parents.
The report also looks at marriages after a baby is conceived - but before it is born. Until the 1960s, about 50 percent to 60 percent of couples married after discovering the woman was pregnant. But that dropped to 29 percent in the early 1980s. The report noted that, during the intervening years, women were more likely to be educated and abortion laws were relaxed.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
130. To accept words of truth is to accept the divine Word; for He says;
'He that receives you receives me' (Matt. 10:40).
November 9, 1999
(James 5:3) Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
PREACHER, 3 OTHERS ARRESTED IN CHURCH BLAZE
(AP) -- A minister and three other people were accused of burning down a church in 1996 to collect $270,000 in insurance.
When the blaze was set on November 20, 1996, more than 100 predominantly black churches -- mainly in the South -- had been burned in less than two years.
PARENTS ACCUSED OF KILLING FIVE CHILDREN FOR INSURANCE
(AP) The Browns got out alive when their house burned down. Five children didn't make it. Ricky Lee Brown told others that he was too busy fighting the fire to save any of the youngsters. His wife, Barbara, said she just ''didn't think about it.''
The Browns and a housemate are accused of setting the 1997 fire and killing the children for more than $61,000 in insurance proceeds.
''They did this because they were tired of their children. Their children interfered with their lifestyles,'' federal prosecutor Robert McWilliams said.
CALIFORNIA CHURCH FIRE MAY BE ARSON
(AP) - A suspicious fire heavily damaged a Roman Catholic church, and a swastika was painted on an outside wall.
The two-alarm blaze caused extensive damage to an altar and a classroom area, burning pews and laminated beams. The classroom was destroyed and much of the main church sustained water and smoke damage, said Stockton Fire Department Battalion Chief Pete Klein.
(2 Tim 3:1-3) But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
129. Words of truth converted the 'progeny of vipers' and warned them 'to
flee from the anger to come' (Matt. 3:7).
November 8, 1999
(Ezek 14:21) "For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem my four dreadful judgments--sword and famine and wild beasts and plague--to kill its men and their animals"!
DISEASE HITS INDIA CYCLONE ZONE, 3,400 DEAD
(Reuters) - The death toll in the cyclone that ravaged eastern India last month has soared above 3,400 and diarrhea is plaguing thousands of people who drank tainted water, rescue workers said Sunday.
Telecommunications were restored to many parts of the state capital, Bhubaneshwar, but power supplies were still disrupted in the worst-affected regions. The blackouts cast a shadow over the festival of Diwali, when Hindus celebrate the triumph of light over darkness.
MAN-EATING BIG CATS KILL 21 IN TANZANIA
(AP) _ Lions and leopards have killed 21 people in southern Tanzania this year, largely because a severe drought has killed their normal prey, a government official said Friday.
"Drought has forced older animals to move closer to human settlement in search of food and into killing people they come across during late hours," Natural Resources Minister Zakia Meghji said.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
128. If you wish to be saved, welcome words of truth, and never reject criticism
uncritically.
November 7, 1999
(1 Th 5:3) While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
NUTS, BOLTS OF FINAL STATUS MIDEAST TALKS
(Reuters) - Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation will start so-called final status talks in earnest on Monday to try to forge a lasting peace by next September.
September 13, 2000 -- the target date -- is the seventh anniversary of the signing on the White House lawn of the landmark 1993 Oslo interim accord, which put Israel and the Palestinians on the path to peace after decades of conflict.
RELATED: THREE BOMB BLASTS WOUND 14 IN ISRAEL
(Reuters) - Pope John Paul launched a fresh campaign for evangelization across Asia Saturday, undeterred by protests against conversions to Christianity by Hindu activists before he arrived in India.
The Polish Pontiff made his call in an address at the Sacred Heart Cathedral and a key document that was his final report on last year's synod of Asian bishops held at the Vatican.
"The Synod was an ardent affirmation of faith in Jesus Christ the Saviour; and it remains a call to conversion, so that the church in Asia might become ever more worthy of the graces continually being offered by God," the Pope said.
While acknowledging that Christ is often perceived as foreign in Asia, the pope said, "The peoples of Asia need Jesus Christ and his Gospel. Asia is thirsting for the living water that Jesus alone can give."
RELATED: POPE SAYS CHANGING RELIGION IS HUMAN RIGHT
RUSSIAN PATRIARCH READY FOR TALKS WITH CATHOLICS
(CWNews.com) - Russian Orthodox Patriarch Aleksei II said on Friday that he is willing to start talks with the Catholic Church regarding clashes between Orthodox and Catholics in Western Ukraine.
Comments from Marc Evan Borromeo Nonnenkamp via email :
The big news is of course the willingness of the Moscow Patriarch to speak to the Holy Father in person. As you may remember, the late Father Malachi Martin was the only observer who predicted this years ago due to his unique knowledge of official Vatican intelligence (i.e. Fatima). Remember what we were taught by Our Lady: "Russia will be converted, and in the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph".
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
127. If you want to pray as a monk, shun all lies and take no oath. Otherwise
you vainly pretend to be what you are not.
November 6, 1999
(Mark 16:17-18) And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
SCIENTIFIC STUDY REVEALS POWER OF PRAYER ON HEALTH OF PATIENTS
(NE) A study carried out in the United States seems to have scientifically evidenced the efficacy of intercessory prayer over the health of people. The study was done in the Mid America Heart Institute (MAHI) in Kansas City, Missouri, and revealed the positive effects on hospitalized cardiac patients when other people prayed to God for their "speedy recovery with no complications". The results and the evaluation of the study has been recently published by an important magazine of the American Medical Association.
Although along centuries people have turned to God to ask for diverse necessities, and in many occasions especially for the health of their beloved, intercessory prayer has received little attention in the world of science. A similar test was carried out in 1988, also documenting scientifically the positive effects of prayer on the health of patients.
POPE ARRIVES IN INDIA TO BOOST ASIAN BISHOPS
CNN) -- Pope John Paul II arrived in New Delhi on Friday for a three-day visit to India, where thousands have taken to the streets of the capital to protest his trip.
Shouting "pope go back, pope go back," Hindu fundamentalists opposed to the pontiff's mission, which is designed to boost evangelization in Asia, marched through the streets Thursday, demanding an apology for alleged Christian atrocities. Security concerns are so high that Indian police have advised that the pope should be protected by a bullet-proof screen Sunday when he leads the Mass at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The pope's visit comes at a time of increased concern by the U.S. State Department and human rights groups about a rise in anti-Christian violence in rural India. This year, missionary Graham Staines and his two young sons were burned alive in their car by an angry mob. Rural churches have been torched. The United Christian Forum for Human Rights says the number of recorded acts of violence against Christians soared to 150 in the past two years, up from just 38 in the past 30 years.
The revival of religious fundamentalism in India "is an ever more aggressive and worrying phenomenon, a serious threat to the church and Catholics," said the Vatican's missionary news agency Fides.
(Mat 24:12-14) Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
126. The man who always dedicates his first thoughts to God has perfect
prayer.
November 5, 1999
(2 Th 2:11-12) For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
BRAVE NEW WORLD PROMISES FUN SEX, ROYALS IN SPACE
(Reuters) - In the century about to dawn, contraception will become superfluous, the attention span will cease to exist and two intelligent species will roam the earth.
Sex will be just for lust -- babies will come from reproductive bank accounts -- while phones and faxes will be dumped in favour of direct mind-to-mind communication.
Come 2010, according to the often-prescient Arthur C Clarke, Prince Harry will become the first member of Britain's royal family to fly in space. Lights will beturned on at the flick of a thought -- switches will be consigned to history.
"This is all hugely exciting. These are the ideas of some of the world's most distinguished academics at the close of the millennium," said Sian Griffiths, editor of "Predictions."
SCIENCE WITHOUT CONSCIENCE RUINS MAN, SAYS MEXICAN CARDINAL
(NE) Scientific techniques have to be humanized, because science without conscience leads to the ruin of man, said Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, during the inaugurating session of a congress to reflect on the Identity and Dignity of the Human Embryo.
In his words during the International pro-life Congress "The Guadalupan Appeal", the Mexican Cardinal reiterated the opposition of the Church toward abortion, pointing out that fecundation "in vitro" is also morally inadmissible. In a special way, he made a calling to society to support confused mothers, offering concrete actions focused to aid them so that they conserve their babies, give them in adoption or to some institution.
"Abortion will never be the solution to the economic problems that millions in Mexico live in," he emphasized. "All human embryo life -he pointed out- must be respected, this is a scream of repulsion against the death of man at the hands of a 'technicalized' man, and against personal selfishness and scientific utilitarianism"
"The inviolability of the right to life of the innocent human being, from the moment of his conception to his death, is a sign and a requirement of the individuality of the human person to which the Creator has granted the gift of life," Cardinal Rivera affirmed.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
125. A monk is one who regards himself as linked with every man, through
always seeing himself in each.
November 4, 1999
A Leonid meteor shower happens every year around November 17 when Earth passes close to the orbit of comet Tempel-Tuttle. Usually not much happens. The Earth plows through a diffuse cloud of old comet dust that shares Tempel-Tuttle's orbit, and the debris burns up harmlessly in Earth's atmosphere. A typical Leonid meteor shower consists of a meager 10 to 20 shooting stars per hour.
Every 33 years something special happens. Comet Tempel-Tuttle swings through the inner solar system and brings a dense cloud of debris with it. For 3 or 4 years after its passage the Leonids can be very active. In 1966 for instance, over 100,000 meteors per hour were seen from parts of North America. Curiously, there isn't a full-fledged storm every time Tempel-Tuttle passes by. Sometimes there's simply a stronger-than-average shower. Sometimes nothing happens at all!
Joe Rao, a Leonids expert who lectures at New York's Hayden Planetarium, also advocates 1999 as possibly the best year for a storm during this 33 year cycle.
In 1833, people woke to a sky that seemed ablaze. The hubbub was over the Leonid meteor shower, set for a possibly grand encore Nov. 17.
The Earth may be about to witness the greatest show ever visible in our skies, a very rare event which, if it comes off, will be the headline of every newspaper, cause many people to panic, and leave everyone in awe.
LEONID METEORITE IMPACTS ON THE MOON MIGHT BE VISIBLE FROM EARTH
AIR FORCE FEARS SATELLITE DAMAGE DURING UPCOMING METEOR SHOWERS
The U.S. Air Force said Friday it will be watching closely for any damage to U.S missile-warning, communications and other military satellites when the earth passes through the Leonid Meteor Storm on Nov. 17.
Although there was some concern when the earth first passed through the comet's tail in 1998, the Air Force said scientists expect this year to be the largest display from Temple-Tuttle since 1966.
"Air Force satellite operators are reviewing contingency plans to protect and recover, if necessary, military communications, missile-warning and navigation satellites that could be affected by the storm," the Air Force said in a statement.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
124. A monk is one who is separated from all and united with all.
November 3, 1999
(Luke 21:12-13) "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them.
REPORT: CHINA ARRESTS CATHOLIC BISHOP, PROSECUTES OTHERS
(AP) Police have detained a 65-year-old bishop of China's underground Roman Catholic Church and his whereabouts are unknown, a U.S.-based church group said Tuesday.
Police seized Bishop Jia Zhiguo of Zhengding on Aug. 15 in northern Hebei province near Beijing and have held him since without releasing information about his case, the Cardinal Kung Foundation of Stamford, Conn. said.
Jia has already spent about 20 years in prison, the group said.
The foundation also reported that seven lay members of the underground Catholic church from Xiagang village in southern Jiangxi province were convicted on Aug. 13 for involvement in unauthorized religious activities.
CATHOLIC AGENCY SAYS DOZENS DEAD IN CONGO MASSACRE
VIA EMAIL Jim Bramlett:
I thank God for all those who are stretching beyond the bounds of human religious tradition, diligently studying the Scriptures, seeking revelation from the Spirit regarding the times we are in, and sharing their insights with others for their edification, in spite of our frail human limitations.
But whenever anyone does or says anything for God, there are always the predictable critics, naysayers and complainers, with a vengeance, glee and self-righteousness hurling their negatives and fiery darts.
Nevertheless, I prefer those who are out front, giving it their best shot, calling it as they see it, on the edge, living dangerously for Jesus, in spite of the criticism. I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes, from former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt:
"It is not the critic who counts, not the person who points out where the doer of deeds should have done better. The credit belongs to the person who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the devotions, and spends himself or herself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and at the worst, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his or her place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat."
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
123. Blessed is the monk who regards himself as 'the offscouring of all things'
(1 Cor. 4:13).
November 2, 1999
(Mat 28:19-20) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
IRAQ AGREES TO RECEIVE VATICAN TEAM TO PREPARE FOR POPE'S TRIP
(AP) _ Baghdad has agreed to a visit by Vatican officials this month to prepare for the proposed pilgrimage to Iraq by Pope John Paul II, the country's most senior Christian clergyman said Monday. Rafael Bedaweed, the head of nearly 750,000 Iraqi Christians, said he expected the pope to make his trip around Jan. 20.
LETTER OF JOHN PAUL II TO THE BISHOP OF LEIRIA-FATIMA ON 10/1/97
EARTHQUAKES!
About
450 minor quakes recorded at Japanese volcano
Iran
quake injures 28
Earthquake
injures 30 people in Peru highlands
Quake
jolts Taiwan
NATIONS UNPREPARED FOR DRUG-RESISTANT TB
Many countries are ill-equipped to combat the spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis, already in 104 countries and the world's leading infectious cause of death among adults, a new study says.
(Luke 21:11) There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
122. Blessed is the monk who looks with great joy on everyone's salvation
and progress as if it were his own.
November 1, 1999
BIG APPLE SAYS IT HAS TAKEN THE BITE OUT OF Y2K
The city has worked since 1995 to replace microchips, hardware and software, and rewrite computer coding that otherwise would have thrown New York into chaos when the clock struck a second past midnight Dec. 31, 1999.
The mayor's office, the utilities, the Federal Aviation Administration, all agree such problems won't happen. Their computer programmers have burrowed into every technological crack to fix the so-called Y2K bug, and their accounts seem convincing.
Deputy New York Police Commissioner Richard Sheirer is one of the key people in charge. As the NYPD's Y2K guy, he says the technical aspects of the problem are under control. From the 911 emergency response system, to the robots that disarm bombs, to computer-controlled fingerprinting devices, the department has tested each computer-driven component it takes to fight crime, and found them up to it.
BIG
APPLE'S BIG UTILITY SAYS IT'S READY FOR Y2K
WITH
Y2K IN NYC- RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS
OFFICIALS
WORRY THAT Y2K WILL AFFECT SMALLER N.J. CHEMICAL FACTORIES
IRS
ACKNOWLEDGES PROBLEMS IN Y2K PREPARATION
FED V.P. WANTS TRACKING
TECHNOLOGY EMBEDDED IN U.S. CURRENCY
FBI REPORT SAYS THREAT OF MILLENNIUM VIOLENCE 'VERY REAL'
(AP) -- An FBI report prepared for the nation's law enforcement officials says the threat of violence by extremists to mark the new millennium is "very real," The Washington Post reported.
"The threat posed by extremists as a result of perceived events associated with the Year 2000 is very real," the Post quoted the report as saying. "The volatile mix of apocalyptic religious and (New World Order) conspiracy theories may produce violent acts aimed at precipitating the end of the world as prophesied in the Bible."
The Post said that while most of the report focuses on domestic threats, one portion is devoted to Jerusalem, where the FBI says an influx of tourists making pilgrimages and millennial cults will add to the danger.
The research report is named Megiddo after an ancient battleground in Israel cited in the Bible's New Testament as the site of a millennial battle between forces of good and evil.
The Philokalia excerpt: Evagrios the Solitary "On Prayer"
121. Blessed is the monk who regards every man as God after God.
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