We are Cerebrating today Saint Aloysius de Gonzaga,

Saint Aloysius de Gonzaga, S.J. (Italian: Luigi de Gonzaga;^[1] 9 March 1568 – 21 June 1591) was an Italian aristocrat who became a member of the Society of Jesus. While still a student at the Roman College, he died as a result of caring for the victims of a serious epidemic. He was beatified in 1605 and canonized in 1726.
In 1729, Pope Benedict XIII declared Aloysius de Gonzaga to be the patron saint of young students. In 1926, he was named patron of all Christian youth by Pope Pius XI. Owing to the manner of his death, he has been considered a patron saint of plague victims. For his compassion and courage in the face of an incurable disease, Aloysius Gonzaga has become the patron both of AIDS sufferers and their caregivers.^[10] Aloysius is also the patron of Valmontone, a town in Lazio.
As we celebrate this great Saint we remember our young students and Christian youths all over the world. Through the intercession of St. Aloysius Gonzaga may God enlighten them and deliver them from youth related bondage through Christ our Lord - Amen!
St. Aloysius - Pray for us!

World Refugee Day

Let's Build Bridges and not Walls   

The crisis in our world has driven so many people away from their homeland. The huge number of homeless migrants and refugee in our world today is a clear indication that the world is on fire. Most countries, like America are building walls to prevent refugees from having direct access into their nations.  The plight and wellbeing of refugees is indeed a major challenge facing our world today. What these refugees are passing through is unimaginable!

Responding to this existential challenges, on December 4th 2000, UN declared June 20th as World Refugee Day. This day is meant to create awareness and to provide support for millions of families all over the world who have lost their homes and dear ones because of violence or war. The theme of 2017 world refugee day is “Embracing Refugees to celebrate our Common Humanity.

While people like Donald Trump of America are insisting on building walls, Pope Francis has consistently preached in favour building bridges, which entails accommodating one another, especially the refugees. “In the social and civil context as well, I appeal not to create walls but to build bridges...  To not respond to evil with evil. To defeat evil with good, the offence with forgiveness." 
Instead of building walls and trying to stop refugees from seeking asylum into ones country, the Holy Father has appealed to world leaders to open their borders to refugees and do everything humanly possible to assist them in their predicaments. 

Responding to those who are building walls, the Holy Father declares "anyone who wants to build a wall is “not Christian.” A true Christian must answer the following questions: When the Israelites experienced famine, and their father Jacob sent them to Egypt to buy food. If the Egyptians had built walls what do you think would have happened to the hungry sons of Jacob? Also when Herod wanted to kill the child Jesus his parents flee to Egypt for safety. Imagine what would have happened if the Egyptians had built walls and thereby denying them access into their land! 

In line with the Holy father, António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General described the support for refugee as a global responsibility... The root problems are war and hatred, not people who flee; refugees are among the first victims of terrorism." With this, therefore, the refugees are not to be blamed but to be pitied and supported since they are not directly responsible for their predicaments. 

Building of Walls against the refugees cannot solve our problem. Instead of walls we should  build bridges and do everything humanly possible to avert war, insurgencies and hunger which are the major factors that are driving people away from their homeland.  may God protect and provide for all the refugees in Jesus name - Amen!

International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflicts

Today is International Day for the Elimination of Sexual 

Violence in Conflicts

International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in conflict was established to create awareness of some of the sexually related abuses which girls and women face, especially the hands of security forces. Here in Nigeria there are so many reports on sexual abuse of women and girls in the IDP.

for instance, last month, precisely on May 24, 2018 the Amnesty International revealed that thousands of women and girls who survived the brutal rule of the Boko Haram armed group have since been further abused by the Nigerian security forces who claim to be rescuing them. According to this report, "The displaced women confined to remote camps have been forced to become "girlfriends" of military in exchange for humanitarian assistance, adding that thousands have died of starvation due to lack of food in the camps. Although, the presidency and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) have disputed the report, saying it is devoid of credibility. Whether this report is credible or not, the government and all those concerned must do everything possible to women and girls from all forms of sexual violence and conflict, especially during war and insurgencies. After all prevention is better than cure!

The essence of this celebration is to ensure that such vulnerable women and girls are protected.

Unfortunately, most of the women and girls that are raped or sexually abused during war or insurgencies, end up becoming pregnant. Children that are given birth in such circumstances are the ones that suffers most. These children are often rejected even by their own mothers. Each time they see these children they remember their ugly ordeal. They even label these children as bad blood. While the society often rejects them as bastards or even children of the enemy. But the fact remains, these children are innocent. They have nothing to do with the circumstance surrounding their birth. Like every other child in the society they equally have a right to life. This right must be protected.

 In view of protecting the right of these innocent children that were born either during rape or even during war and insurgencies, the theme for 2018 International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in conflict is: “The Plight and Rights of Children Born of War.” Every child has a right to live, even children that are born outside wedlock.  Taking care of these children is a way of solving the problem of insecurity. If these children are not properly taken care of they will join bad gang and start terrorizing everyone in the society.

May God protect our women, our ladies and girls from all forms of sexual violence, especially during conflicts, wars and insurgencies, through Christ our Lord - Amen!                                  

Today, June 18th is Sustainable Gastronomy Day.

Today, June 18th is Sustainable Gastronomy Day.

Gastronomy is the study of the relationship between food 

and culture, the art of preparing and serving rich or delicate 

and appetizing food, the cooking styles of particular regions, 

and the science of good eating.

Sustainable Gastronomy Day focuses on the role that sustainable gastronomy can play. It also reaffirms that all cultures and civilizations are contributors and crucial enablers of sustainable development. The UN General Assembly adopted on 21 December 2016 its resolution A/RES/71/246 and designated 18 June as an international observance, Sustainable Gastronomy Day. 

The decision acknowledges gastronomy as a cultural expression related to the natural and cultural diversity of the world. It also reaffirms that all cultures and civilizations are contributors and crucial enablers of sustainable development.

Sustainable gastronomy can play a role due to its interlinkages with the three dimensions of sustainable development, in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting: agricultural development; food security; nutrition; sustainable food production; and conservation of biodiversity.

Through this unique celebration may God grant us agricultural development, Food increase, security  and balanced nutritions through Christ our Lord - Amen!

WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY

Do you know that most of our elderly men and women are in pains because of one sickness or another? Do you know that the older adults are often abused, neglected, and even exploited? Do you know that most of the elderly ones are often abandoned in the village with little or no care? Do you know that most of those who are not receiving their pensions today are elderly ones? Most of them have even died without receiving their gratuity! Do you even know that most of the working class and even leaders in our society today are elderly ones who are old enough to retire? The worst abuse against elderly ones is to give them load that they load or position that they are not strong enough to carry. By the way, do you know that we are all potential elders? Do even know that the way we handle the elders of our generation will determine how the younger generation will handle us, especially when we becomes elders?

 According to the United Nation's declaration on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, "Elder abuse is a global social issue which affects the health and human rights of millions of older persons around the world, and an issue which deserves the attention of the international community."

To address some of these burning issues, the UN general assembly, in its resolution 66/127, has declared June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It is a day to create awareness and also say no to most of the abuses against the elderly ones in the society.

Most of our elders are going through the following types of abuses:
Physical Abuse: The use of physical force which often result in injury or physical pain against the elderly ones. It also include, kicking, hitting, striking, beating, pushing, shaking, pinching, slapping and burning of any part of the body of an elderly person.

Emotional Abuse: causes emotional pain, distress or anguish. This includes verbal assaults, intimidation, humiliation, threats, insults, harassment and treating senior citizens like children.

Neglect: Has to do with the withdrawal of care to the elderly ones. With urbanization, which has resulted  to the younger ones trooping out of the villages to the cities most of the elderly one are neglected at home where they are suffering loneliness.

Financial Exploitation: Non-payment of elders' pension and gratuity as at when due is a typical example of financial exploitation. Financial elder abuse also include cashing checks without authorization; forging signatures; stealing or misusing money or possessions; coercing or deceiving an elderly person into signing a document; and improperly using a guardianship,

Abandonment: Abandonment is the total desertion of an elderly person. It occurs when a designated caretaker leaves an elderly person to fend for himself. It also has to do with leaving an elderly at a nursing home or even village without visit or any caregiver.

AS WE CELEBRATE World Elder Abuse Awareness Day WE PRAY FOR ALL OUR ELDERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE FACING ONE ABUSE OR ANOTHER. MAY GOD DELIVER THEM AND PROVIDE FOR THEM IN JESUS NAME - AMEN!

FR JOHN DAMIAN @ THE 2nd SYNOD OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF MINNA

THEME: PRACTICAL PASTORAL CARE OF THE YOUTH

TODAY IS WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY

Today, June 14th is World Blood Donor Day.

World Blood Donor Day was established by the World Health Organization in the year 2004. It is among the eight official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO). This event is established in order to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products. It is also a day set aside to appreciate blood donors for their voluntary and life-saving gifts of blood. Essentially, this day is also a to create awareness on the importance of Blood donation. It is also a day to encourage more Blood donors.

The Theme of each year's World Blood Donors Day  is meant to highlight the importance of Blood donation. 

For instance, the theme of 

2012 is "Every blood donor is a hero."  

2013: "Give the gift of life : donate blood."

2014: Safe blood for saving mothers; 

2015: Thank you for saving my life, 

2016: Blood connects us all; 

2017 "Give Blood. Give Now. Give Often.

2018: The theme of this year’s campaign is blood donation is an action of solidarity. 

The slogan that clearly portrays this theme is: “Be there for someone else. Give blood. Share life.”

This theme and slogan answers the ancient question of Cain, "am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9). Yes, we are indeed our Brothers keeper. Through Blood donation we are not just proving to people like Cain that we are our brother's keeper but also as blood donors we are indeed source of life and hope to one another.

As we celebrate today World Blood Donors Day I wish to express my appreciation to all those who have donated their blood for the safety and well being of others. And may God bless you as you save other people's life through Blood donation.

Today is World Day Against Child Labour

 Child Labour is among the inhuman abuses against humanity. It is the employment of children in various works that deprives them of their fundamental human right, such as the right to attend regular school and also to recreate with their fellow children. Child labor is rampant in many developing countries. According to International Labour Organization (ILO), a total of 250 million children are working as labour in the world. The number of child labour in Africa is estimated around 80 millions. The health related issues and psychological effects of child labour are very high as children often incur various degrees of injuries through child labour.

Article 3 No. 182 of ILO Convention outlined different categories of child labour: (a) all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour, including forced or compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict; (b) the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances; (c) the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs as defined in the relevant international treaties; (d) work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children."

Considering the negative effects of child labour, the ILO has launched the World Day Against Child Labour to be observed every 12th day of June. World Day Against Child Labor was created in 2002 to prevent child labor “in economic and military fields.” The theme of this year's world Day Against Child Labour is Generation Safe & Healthy. The only way to build a safe and healthy generation is by protecting the right and safety of every child in the society. 

His holiness Pope Francis offers solution to child labour. According to him, "All children must be able to play, study, pray and grow, in their families." He however noted that "There are millions of children, mostly girls, who are victims of this hidden form of exploitation that often involves abuse, mistreatment and discrimination" The Holy Father then makes a passionate appeal, saying, “It is my heartfelt hope that the international community will initiate still more effective measures in addressing this authentic plague.” Free and compulsory education is a way forward!

Our Lord Jesus Christ places a curse on all those who abuse children through child labour and other immoral acts: "If anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea" (Matthew 18:6). With this, Child labour and other abuses are hereby cancelled in Jesus name - Amen!

TODAY IS WORD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR

Child Labour is among the inhuman abuses against humanity. It is the employment of children in various works that deprives them of their fundamental human right, such as the right to attend regular school and also to recreate with their fellow children. Child labor is rampant in many developing countries. According to International Labour Organization (ILO), a total of 250 million children are working as labour in the world. The number of child labour in Africa is estimated around 80 millions. The health related issues and psychological effects of child labour are very high as children often incur various degrees of injuries through child labour.

Article 3 No. 182 of ILO Convention outlined different categories of child labour: (a) all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour, including forced or compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict; (b) the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances; (c) the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs as defined in the relevant international treaties; (d) work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children."

Considering the negative effects of child labour, the ILO has launched the World Day Against Child Labour to be observed every 12th day of June. World Day Against Child Labor was created in 2002 to prevent child labor “in economic and military fields.” The theme of this year's world Day Against Child Labour is Generation Safe & Healthy. The only way to build a safe and healthy generation is by protecting the right and safety of every child in the society. 

His holiness Pope Francis offers solution to child labour. According to him, "All children must be able to play, study, pray and grow, in their families." He however noted that "There are millions of children, mostly girls, who are victims of this hidden form of exploitation that often involves abuse, mistreatment and discrimination" The Holy Father then makes a passionate appeal, saying, “It is my heartfelt hope that the international community will initiate still more effective measures in addressing this authentic plague.” Free and compulsory education is a way forward!

Our Lord Jesus Christ places a curse on all those who abuse children through child labour and other immoral acts: "If anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea" (Matthew 18:6). With this, Child labour and other abuses are hereby cancelled in Jesus name - Amen!

Today is the Memorial of Saint Barnabas

Today, the 11th day of June 2018 is the Memorial of Saint Barnabas, an Apostle.

TEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BARNABAS

1. “Barnabas” wasn’t his birth name (Joseph was), it was his nickname meaning “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36). This rather obscure Bible character was so encouraging that it became his name. What a legacy to leave! What an example to follow. What would people nickname you?
2. Background: Acts 4:36 records that Barnabas was a Levite and a Cyprian (that is, a native of the island of Cyprus).
3. Barnabas put the kingdom first with possessions. His first recorded action is that he “sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:37). He also was acknowledged by Paul for supporting himself financially for his ministry instead of depending on churches (1 Corinthians 9:6).
4. After Paul’s dramatic conversion, Barnabas courageously vouched for him when the Jerusalem church was suspicious that a former persecutor would want to join their ranks (Acts 9:26-31).
5. Barnabas was a Christian leader and preacher (Acts 15:35). On one occasion, he was sent by the Jerusalem church to Antioch. Acts 11:23-24 describes his arrival, “When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.” After his arrival, Barnabas sought out Saul to help him with the work (Acts 11:25). Barnabas’ ministry and effectiveness touches on one of the goals of the fellowship of the Word program, which is to equip leaders to preach God’s Word with God’s heart and to empower pastors to train others in the Scriptures as well.
6. While praying, fasting, and worshiping God, Barnabas and Saul received the call from the Holy Spirit to go on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:1-3).
7. Barnabas, along with Paul, served to straighten out Jew/Gentile tensions that arose in the early church by sharing from the Scriptures and his experience how the Gentiles were being saved and could fellowship with Jews (Acts 15:1-21; Galatians 2:1-10). Although this issue was not without its challenges for Barnabas. In Galatians 2:13, Paul called Barnabas out for being led astray by Jewish circumcision party hypocrisy for a time (presumably before the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15).
8. Barnabas had a sharp disagreement with Paul that ended their ministry together. Acts 15:36-41 explains that Barnabas wanted to take Mark along on their missionary journey while Paul did not because Mark had abandoned them on a previous trip. Paul would eventually describe Mark as “useful to me” at the end of his life (2 Timothy 4:11). It makes sense that Barnabas would stick up for Mark–they were cousins (Colossians 4:10).
9. There was wide speculation about Barnabas in early church history. James Brooks explains, “In the third century Barnabas was identified by Clement of Alexandria as one of the 70 of Luke 10:1; Tertullian referred to him as the author of Hebrews; and the Clementine Recognitions stated he was the Matthias of Acts 1:23, 26. All of these are most unlikely. In the second century an epistle bearing Barnabas’s name appeared, became quite popular, and even received some consideration for a place in the NT. Later an apocryphal Acts of Barnabas and perhaps even a Gospel of Barnabas were circulated.”1
10. Barnabas left a tremendous legacy. All of the above facts (except #9) prove Barnabas to be a strong man of faith that left a lasting legacy and stored up for himself a lucrative inheritance in heaven.

ST. BARNABAS - PRAY FOR US!

TODAY IS THE 10TH SUNDAY, ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

TODAY'S LITURGICAL READINGS

Entrance Antiphon     Cf. Ps 27:1 -2

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life; whom should I dread?

When those who do evil draw near, they stumble and fall.

Collect

O God, from whom all good things come, grant that we who call on you in our need, may at your prompting discern what is right, and by your guidance do it.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

FIRST READING       Genesis     3:9-15

“I will put enmity between your seed and her seed.”

 [After Adam had eaten of the tree,] the Lord God called to him, and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent beguiled me, and I ate.”

The Lord God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this, cursed are you above all cattle, and above all wild animals; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

The word of the Lord

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 130:1 -2.3-4.5-7a.7b-8 (R. 7bc)

R. With the Lord there is mercy, in him is plentiful redemption.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;

Lord, hear my voice!

let your ears be attentive

to the sound of my pleading. R.

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,

Lord, who could stand?

But with you is found forgiveness,

that you may be revered. R.

long for you, O Lord,

my soul longs for his word.

My soul hopes in the Lord

more than watchmen for daybreak.

More than watchmen for daybreak,

let Israel hope for the Lord. R.

For with the Lord there is mercy,

in him is plentiful redemption.

It is he who will redeem Israel

from all its iniquities. R.

SECOND READING                              2Corinthians 4:13-5:1

“We believe, and so we speak.”

Brethren: Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer man is wasting away, our inner man is being renewed every day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

The word of the Lord

ALLELUIA                            John 12:31-32

V. Alleluia. R. Alleluia.

V. Now shall the ruler of this world be cast out, says the Lord; and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.

R. Alleluia.

GOSPEL                                Mark          3:20-35

“Satan is coming to an end.”

At that time: Jesus went home with his disciples; and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. And when his friends heard it, they went out to seize him, for they said, “He is beside himself.” And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul, and by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” And he called them to him, and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man; then indeed he may plunder his house. “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin” - for they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

And his mother and his brethren came; and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting about him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brethren are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brethren?” And looking around on those who sat about him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brethren! Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Prayer over the Offerings

Look kindly upon our service, O Lord, we pray, that what we offer may be an acceptable oblation to you and lead us to grow in charity.

Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon       Ps 18:3

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my saving strength.

Or:                                          1 Jn. 4:16

God is love, and whoever abides in love ^abides in God, and God in him.

Prayer after Communion

May your healing work, O Lord, free us, we pray, from doing evil and lead us to what is right.

Through Christ our Lord.

TODAY, JUNE 9TH 2018 IS THE MEMORIAL OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

We are celebrating today the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the purest heart the world heart the world has ever known. The only woman that conceived her Son without original sin. The Mother of the holiest Man the world has ever known.

REFLECTIONS:
ISAIAH 61:9-11: "...the LORD has clothed me with the robe of righteousness (Like our Mother Mary, the Lord God shall cloth you with Immaculate rode!)
1 SAMUEL 2:1-8: "My heart exalts in God my Saviour" (Like our Mother Mary, you will not only sing with your voice, you shall sing with your life. Your life of holiness will bring glory to God's name
LUKE 2:41-52:  "... His Mother (Mary) kept all these things in her (Immaculate) Heart.

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY - PRAY FOR US!!!

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 8, 2018

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred heart of Jesus.
The heart is the symbol of love. 

Refection: 
John 3:16  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."

John 15:13    "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. 

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS - HAVE MERCY ON US!