My Islam File       

The New Translation

HK academics urge rejection of reform plan:    Around 1,900 academics and professionals have signed a declaration expressing deep concern about Hong Kong's future, and have urged lawmakers to reject the government's political reform ((for fake democracy))

In an advertisement published in Monday's Ming Pao newspaper, they said HK's core values, including liberty, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, are being eroded 

Special Assignment: Beast or Bait

26 min video report from South African Broadcasting Commission, about drug mules in Asian prisons ....some of them facing execution.

In Thailand: 200 women in one cell ...sleeping sardine-style on floor.  About 21,000 new women inmates since 2009

World leaders accused of shameful failure over refugee crisis

“We are witnessing the worst refugee crisis of our era, with millions of women, men and children struggling to survive amidst brutal wars, networks of people traffickers and governments who pursue selfish political interests instead of showing basic human compassion”

Genesis 40

Even in jail, God protected Joseph.

When two of Pharaoh's officials,
his cup-bearer and his baker also were put in jail, Joseph was able to interpret dreams they had.

The cup-bearer dreamt he picked grapes and made wine for Pharaoh's cup.

Joseph told him the meaning of his dream: in three days he'd be free
and back at work as Pharaoh's cup-bearer.

The baker dreamt that birds ate bread from a tray on top of his head.

Joseph told him: "In three days you'll be hanged, and birds will eat your flesh."

And so it happened as Joseph had said: on the third day the cup-bearer went back to work in Pharaoh's palace, while the baker was hanged.

Joseph asked the cup-bearer to help him get out of jail, but when the cup-bearer was free, he forgot about Joseph.

Dear God, please bless everyone who has ever helped me

Psalm 7

Lord God, I take refuge in you.
Please rescue me from people who are trying to hurt me.

Lord, please stop bad people from doing bad things.

Please help good people to keep on doing good things.

Lord, I will sing to you and thank you for your goodness to me.

Lord, please help me to avoid evil and to do good

Recording

Today's Gospel:

James 2.1-13

Don't try to combine faith in Jesus Christ, our glorified Lord, with the making of distinctions between classes of people

Suppose two men come into your prayer meeting, one beautifully dressed and with a gold ring; the other poor and in shabby clothes

If you welcome the rich man, and look down on the poor man, you are making a big mistake

It was those who are poor according to the world, that God chose to be rich in faith

So, never make distinctions between classes of people.
Everyone is your neighbor. Love your neighbor as yourself

There will be judgment without mercy for people who have not been merciful. But merciful people need have no fear of judgment

Jesus, help me treat everyone equally and fairly. No favorites

Recording

Recommended: check these readings early morning, think about them during the day, check them again at night. This habit gives us extra energy, courage, motivation, peace and compassion for each day

 Matthew 8.5-13

In the town of Capernaum, a Roman army captain said to Jesus
"Sir, my servant is paralyzed and in great pain." Jesus replied "I will go and heal him".

But the captain said "Sir, I am not worthy that you should enter my house. Just say the word and my servant will be healed.

For I understand orders. I give an order, and people act. I know that you also just need to give an order, and my servant will be healed".

Jesus said "This foreigner's faith is greater than that of the local people. And I  tell you that in the future, people from all parts of the world will be in the kingdom of heaven".

Then Jesus said to the captain
"Go home. Your request made in faith is granted".

And the servant was healed at that moment.

Jesus, please give more people,
 from all parts of the world, the faith of the captain

Recording

Cambodia under Pol Pot:
How two men survived a prison where 12,000 were killed

Pope leads meditation for priests
- Pope Francis might add Kenya to his Africa trip in November. 
- a priest should not refuse baptism for a baby born of a single mother, or whose parents have been divorced and re-married

Is the Pope a communist?
Pope Francis's critique of free-market economics has made him an icon for the Left and prompted claims that he is a communist. The leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics has called capitalism a source of inequality at best - and at worst a killer. Is the Pope, as his critics claim, a red radical?

Archbishop Costelloe Pastoral Letter on same-sex marriage
In a pastoral letter circulated this past weekend, the Archbishop said it was “unworthy to suggest that those who argue against the proposed redefinition of marriage are homophobic, intolerant, or in some way lacking intellectual depth”

Pope  Francis:  Full text     
The Joy of the Gospel 

23. In fidelity to the example of the Master, it is vitally important for the Church today to go forth and preach the Gospel to all: to all places, on all occasions, without hesitation, reluctance or fear. The joy of the Gospel is for all people: no one can be excluded. That is what the angel proclaimed to the shepherds in Bethlehem: “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people". The Book of Revelation speaks of “an eternal Gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tongue and tribe and people"

My weekly article in today's Ming Pao newspaper
with the topic: Air conditioned clothing?
is on Ming Pao website - click "Australian in HK".
Free access to article with recording today from about noon to 8pm HK time. Text without recording 

Message from South American inmate (who speaks very little English)  in Lai Chi Kok detention centre to his wife (even less English) in Lo Wu detention centre: "I very much love you!"

Reply from wife: "Same, same!"

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Tuesday,  please bless the people of South Asia

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 16th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Qinghai

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 16th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Afghanistan

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify Boko Haram 

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from Tanzanian inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's South America file 
(stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from South American inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

My Islam File     

The New Translation

I’ve seen Nigeria’s old power at work. I know change is coming

Ken Saro-Wiwa joined the government to fight for reform. Now, as he leaves, he reflects on how young Nigerians are transforming the nation

c.f.  Nigeria, a land of promise and problems

"The three biggest problems in Nigeria are corruption, corruption, and corruption" 

We should stop recycling the old “Yellow Peril” myth. The people most hostile to action on climate change are American and British, not Chinese

But perhaps the biggest surprise for those who unwittingly invoke the old Yellow Peril tropes is that the Chinese people care more about climate change than we do. A survey released on Monday reveals that 26% of respondents in the UK and 32% in the US believe that climate change is “not a serious problem”, while in China the figure is only 4%.

Genesis 39

The slave traders took Joseph to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's top officials.

God was with Joseph. God blessed everything Joseph did.

Because Joseph did everything so well, Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household and all his possessions.

Because of Joseph, God blessed Potiphar and all his interests.

Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph who was very handsome.
But day after day Joseph refused to sleep with her.

Then one day when Joseph again refused her, she tore his clothes and started screaming.

She claimed Joseph had tried to seduce her. Potiphar believed his wife and he put Joseph in jail.

Dear God, please don't let me cause other people to do wrong

My recording of this reading

Psalm 6

Have mercy on me, Lord, I have no strength.

My body is racked with pain. Please heal me, Lord.

I am exhausted with my groaning.

Every night  my pillow is covered  with tears.

Lord, please hear my prayer.

Dear Lord, please help people
who are in distress of mind or body

Recording

James 1.26-27

Don't go thinking you're "religious" while your tongue is out of control. That's the wrong idea of religion

Genuine religion, in the eyes of God our Father is this: coming to the help of orphans and widows, and staying clear of bad values

Jesus, help me control my tongue
...and help me do more to help the poor

Recording

Matthew 8.1-3

In Jesus' time, it was illegal for anyone to touch a leper, and it was illegal for lepers  to go near other people.

But one day a leper broke the law.
He came right up to Jesus and said
"If you want to, you can heal me."

Jesus also broke the law. He stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said "Of course I want to heal you. Be healed!"

The man was healed immediately.

Jesus, I didn't know you were a law-breaker.  I guess this means that sometimes, in special cases,  it's ok to break the law

Recording

At An Acceptable Time
 ^{I pray that you too, are able to remember and treasure in your heart, all the times, the Lord "listened to you" and "helped you."}

Tackling Southeast Asia’s Migrant Crisis

Fr Ambrose Mong O.P.

Purification of Memory
A Study of Orthodox Theologians from a Catholic Perspective

Pope  Francis:  Full text     
The Joy of the Gospel 

22. God’s word is unpredictable in its power. The Gospel speaks of a seed which, once sown, grows by itself, even as the farmer sleeps. The Church has to accept this unpredictable freedom of the word, which accomplishes what it wills in ways that surpass our calculations and ways of thinking

10 years ago today

2005-06-15 Donation to Ricci Centre by students from Guangdong University of Finance (Zhaoqing)

Inmate expecting a baby in the next few weeks,  said to me yesterday: "Prison food is good, but since I'm often a bit peckish, I applied to my consulate for help to get extra food while I'm pregnant. They said they would help me, but that was 6 months ago and so far no help". Same consulate is not "the fastest taxi on the rank"

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Monday,  please bless the people of Europe & Russia

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 15th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Liaoning

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 15th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Zimbabwe

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify ISIS 

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from Tanzanian inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's South America file 
(stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from South American inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

My Islam File     

The New Translation

The grown-up message of ‘Little Boy’ 

“Little Boy” is that rare exception that avoids the pitfalls to tell a story that is sweet, gut-wrenching and deeply spiritual. The film invites us into a wonderful contemplation of that blessed kingdom of mercy to which Jesus is calling us.

Trailer

"It teaches much about bullying, love, and faith in the context of war and bigotry"

c.f. Readings for "Sunday 11"

Ezekiel 17.22-23

Lord, please help me understand how "every kind of bird" means all the peoples of the world ...are meant to know and love you

My recording of this reading

Psalm 92

Lord, may I be a good tree, bearing good fruit right through my life

Recording

2 Corinthians 5.6-10

We look forward to leaving this world and making our home with the Lord. 

While we are in this world, let us be intent on pleasing the Lord. 

All the truth about us will be brought out in the law court of Christ, and each of us will get what we deserve for the things we did in the body, good or bad.

Jesus, please help me do good and avoid evil

Recording

Mark 4.30-32

Jesus, please protect all the branches of your kingdom throughout the world, especially those in dangerous places

Recording

Click to enlarge this beautiful image of birds in mustard tree:

Photos from yesterday

Happy visit by Chan Family to Matteo Ricci Centre ...then Yum Cha!

Pope Going to South American July 6
- consistent with his preferential option for the poor, he has chosen to visit the three poorest countries in the region: Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay

Pope's explosive letter set to transform climate change debate
The most anticipated papal letter for decades will be published in five languages on Thursday. It will call for an end to the ‘tyrannical’ exploitation of nature by mankind. Could it lead to a step-change in the battle against global warming?

Click to enlarge -
 see Jesus with
 yellow umbrella!

Facebook link for
HK Yellow Umbrella Christian Base Community

HK Trappist Dairy Milk!

HK Catholic groups march for democracy

Pope  Francis:  Full text     
The Joy of the Gospel 

21. The Gospel joy which enlivens the community of disciples is a missionary joy. The seventy-two disciples felt it as they returned from their mission. Jesus felt it when he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and praised the Father for revealing himself to the poor and the little ones. It was felt by the first converts who marvelled to hear the apostles preaching “in the native language of each” on the day of Pentecost. 

This joy is a sign that the Gospel has been proclaimed and is bearing fruit. And the drive to go forth and give, to go out from ourselves, to keep pressing forward in our sowing of the good seed, remains ever present. 

The Lord says: “Let us go on to the next towns that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out”. Once the seed has been sown in one place, Jesus does not stay behind to explain things or to perform more signs; the Spirit moves him to go forth to other towns.

10 years ago
 today

2005-06-14 Visit to Ricci Centre by HK Notre Dame group + Miss Lu + welcome back Thomas!

A lady goes to the vet with a duck, which she presents to the veterinary surgeon.  The duck is quite clearly dead and, after a cursory examination, the vet duly informs the lady that her duck has breathed it’s last.   Outraged, the lady tells the vet he doesn’t know what he’s talking about and challenges him to prove that her duck is, indeed, dead.   The vet sighs but then opens the back door of the surgery and ushers in a large black Labrador who walks up to the examination table puts his paws on the table and sniffs the duck from head to toe.  The Labrador looks dolefully at the vet and slowly shakes its head and leaves the surgery.  

The vet then brings in a large tabby cat, which he places on the table beside the duck.  The cat also sniffs the duck from head to toe and also looks up to the vet and shakes its head.   The vet removes the cat and then says to the lady, “There you are, I told you it was dead.  He taps a few keys on his computer and says, “That will be £150 please”.  

The lady, clearly shocked says “£150 to tell me that my duck is dead, that’s outrageous”    “Well” said the vet, if you’d taken my word for it, it would have only been £20 but with the lab test and the cat scan it’s £150”

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Sunday,  please bless the people of Africa

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 14th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Jilin

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 14th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Ethiopia

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please bless all Muslims in my own country 

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from Tanzanian inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's South America file 
(stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from South American inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

My Islam File      

The New Translation

 Meetings with African cardinals

    When Melbourne author Sally Ninham set out to interview 10 African cardinals, she got much more than she counted on

Two days ago a Tanzanian inmate in a Hong Kong detention centre received a letter from his wife. Inmate then broke the news that his baby girl, aged 3 months had died. Welfare officer tried many times to help inmate phone wife, but did not succeed.

So I emailed Grace, the social worker in Dar Es Salaam who is keeping contact with the families I visited in January, to check with the wife ... Grace had previously been in contact with her and supported her at the time of the baby's birth. 

Good news reply email from Grace yesterday. Baby is fine. Inmate's mother is in hospital, but condition not serious. Man has problems communicating ...never learnt to read and write. Needs to ask someone to read his mail in future! And DG for email!

Genesis 38

Jacob's son Judah had three sons - Er, Onan and Shelah. Er married Tamar, but not long after the wedding, Er died.

So, according to custom, Judah asked Onan to marry Tamar and have a child for his brother.

But Onan spilt his seed each time he slept with Tamar, so Tamar did not conceive.
Judah then said to Tamar "Wait till Shelah grows up, and you can marry him." But when Shelah was older, he still hadn't been given to Tamar.

So Tamar tricked her father-in-law Judah. She dressed as a prostitute and conceived a baby by Judah. Judah did not know that the woman was Tamar; her face was covered.

Three months later Judah was told that his daughter-in-law
was pregnant after acting as a prostitute.

Judah followed the harsh local  custom and said "Take her outside and burn her." But Tamar produced Judah's seal, stick and cord which he had given to her as a pledge when he had sex with her.

So Judah admitted his guilt and freed Tamar who gave birth to twin boys.

Dear God, please help married people to be happy

My recording of this reading

Psalm 5

At the start of this day I pray to you, O Lord, my King and my God. I offer you my prayer and ask for your help.

Through the greatness of your love, I have access to your friendship. I bow down in reverence and worship.

Lead me, Lord, in the way you want me to go.

It is you, Lord, who bless good people. You surround them with favors, as with a shield.

Lord, I adore you as my Creator

Recording

James 1.19-25

Be quick to listen, and slow to speak, and even slower to get angry. God's goodness is never helped by human anger

Accept and submit to the word which has been planted in your heart and can save your soul

Do what the word tells you. Don't just listen to it. Actively put God's word into practice in your life

Jesus, help me put your word into practice in my life each day

Recording

Matthew 7.1-27

Jesus said to the people:

Do not judge other people,
and God will not judge you.

It's so easy to be aware of other people's faults, yet be blind to your own faults.

Persevere in prayer. Ask and you will receive. Search and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened.

You like to give good things to your children. God likes to give good things to you.

Treat other people the way you would like them to treat you.

Beware of bad leaders. A sure way to know if someone is good or bad: are their actions good or bad?

If you put my words into practice,
you are like someone who builds his house on rock.

If you ignore my words, you are like someone who builds his house on sand.

Jesus, please help me put your words into practice

Recording

Ireland’s getting ready to forget the real Easter Rising
One of the 6 executed after the 1916 Easter Rising was Michael Mallin. His son Fr Joe Mallin SJ,  is a Jesuit priest and former teacher in Hong Kong, who celebrated his 100th birthday in 2013. He is the last surviving child of those executed in the Rising. Up till a few years ago, in his late nineties, he was still saying a weekly Sunday Mass at St Paul's Yau Ma Tei (the Mass I now say in his place, since he retired ...not sure if I'll still be saying it in my late nineties!?). He lives at Wah Yan College, not far from my home. 

Nones (= no religion people) - a mixed bag
The so-called "nones" now make up 22.8 percent of the nation while the percent of Catholics has fallen to 20.8 percent.

Israel exonerates itself over Gaza beach killings of four children last year
Israeli investigation says missile attack that killed boys aged between nine and 11 was ‘tragic accident’ in findings contradictory to journalists’ reports from scene

Pope  Francis:  Full text     
The Joy of the Gospel 

20. The word of God constantly shows us how God challenges those who believe in him “to go forth”. Abraham received the call to set out for a new land. Moses heard God’s call: “Go, I send you” and led the people towards the promised land. To Jeremiah God says: “To all whom I send you, you shall go”. 

In our day Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples” echoes in the changing scenarios and ever new challenges to the Church’s mission of evangelization, and all of us are called to take part in this new missionary “going forth”. Each Christian and every community must discern the path that the Lord points out, but all of us are asked to obey his call to go forth from our own comfort zone in order to reach all the “peripheries” in need of the light of the Gospel.

10 years ago
 on this day

"I hope you didn't take it personally, Reverend," an embarrassed woman said after a church service, "when my husband walked out during your sermon." "I did find it rather disconcerting," the preacher replied. "It's not a reflection on you, sir," insisted the church goer. "Ralph has been walking in his sleep ever since he was a child."

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Saturday,  please bless the people of Central & North America

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 13th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Jiangxi

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 13th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Mali

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify the Taliban

New letter (in Swahili) from a Tanzanian inmate in a HK prison: 

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from Tanzanian inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's South America file 
(stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from South American inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

My Islam File    

The New Translation

Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus 

Jesus' promises in 1675

"Over the top" - the love in Jesus' heart 

Pope Francis to open hostel for homeless people near St Peter's

- an urgent need in so many parts of the world.

After what I saw in Tanzania in January, and after what I see each day and night in HK, I hope church leaders in Tanzania and HK will follow the Pope's lead

Beijing trying to bribe HK lawmakers to support fake democracy plan

HK's generous help to Nepal 
- well done HK!

28 more friends for me to visit in prison  
c.f. Time to shut door to asylum seekers

c.f. Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

2 Corinthians 5.14-19

The love of Christ is like a tsunami. It overwhelms us and sweeps us away when we remember how Jesus died for everyone

God, through Christ, has repaired his friendship with humanity.

We must spread the news of this reconciliation

"And when I think, that God his Son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in"
- from song "How Great Thou Art"

My recording of this reading

Ephesians 3.14-21

This is what I pray, kneeling before the Father from whom
every family, whether spiritual or natural, takes it name:

May he give you  power through his Spirit, for your hidden self to grow strong

May Christ live in your hearts through faith

Planted in love and built on love, may you continually focus on the love of Christ, until your life is filled with that love

Glory be to him whose power  working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine

Glory be to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen

Recording

Matthew 11.25-30

One day Jesus prayed:

Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
I am joyfully amazed at the way simple people understand and accept what I'm saying, while proud and clever people miss the plot.

And he said to the ordinary people:

Come to me, all you who are treated unfairly by unjust religious laws. I will give you peace and justice.

Learn from me, and you will know peace, for I am gentle and humble of heart.

Jesus, please help people who are suffering from unjust religious laws

Recording

John 19.31-37

The next day was the Passover. To prevent the bodies remaining on the crosses during the Passover, the soldiers broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus

But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead. Instead of breaking his legs, they pierced his side with a spear.  Immediately there came out blood and water

And so the Scriptures were fulfilled "Not one of his bones will be broken" and "They will look on the one they have pierced"

Jesus, please help me understand how blood and water are symbols of the Eucharist and Baptism

Recording

Recommended
 by a reader in the US

Little Boy - Trailer

"It teaches much about bullying, love, and faith in the context of war and bigotry"

Fr. Shay 
Cullen

Pope  Francis:  Full text     
The Joy of the Gospel 

19. Evangelization takes place in obedience to the missionary mandate of Jesus: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”. In these verses we see how the risen Christ sent his followers to preach the Gospel in every time and place, so that faith in him might spread to every corner of the earth

(the real reason: his watch is an hour slow!?)

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Friday,  please bless the people of South America

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 12th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Jiangsu

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 12th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Guinea-Bissau

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, on this Muslim day of prayer, please bless all Muslims!

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from Tanzanian inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's South America file 
(stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from South American inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

My Islam File     

The New Translation

Work-force 
The two-year-old girl “had a tutor for two afternoons a week (to keep on top of maths and literacy) as well as weekly phonics and reading classes, drama, piano, beginner French and swimming. They were considering adding Mandarin and Spanish. The little girl was so exhausted and on edge she was terrified of opening her mouth.”

c.f. 
A HK Tiger Mom  & her expressionless kid

Thank you Lord for lovely hike yesterday

 ... we were 14 people...

... to Trappist Monastery to pray for world peace, for the protection of Christians, and for the protection of basic family values in our troubled world

Photos here

Australia's religious leaders urge PM to uphold traditional marriage

Full text of leaders' letter

--------

My article "Elephants in men's room" has been published at Catholic365

c.f. today's Feast of St Barnabas

Acts 11.19-26

Some believers went to Antioch in Syria where they preached the Good News of the Lord Jesus to non-Jewish people. Many non-Jewish people became believers

Barnabas, a good man filled with the Holy Spirit, was sent to Antioch in Syria to encourage the new believers to remain faithful to the Lord

Barnabas brought Paul from Tarsus to Antioch. They stayed in Antioch one year, instructing a large number of people

It was at Antioch that the believers were first called "Christians"

Jesus, please help me be a good Christian

My recording of this reading

Acts 13.1-3

In the church at Antioch in Syria, the following were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen and Paul

One day while they were offering worship to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said "I want Barnabas and Paul set apart for the work to which I have called them"

After fasting and prayer, the leaders prayed for Barnabas and Paul with the laying on of hands and sent them off on a missionary journey

Holy Spirit, help me be attentive to your guidance

Recording

Acts 14.1-7

Paul and Barnabas went to another city, Iconium. As usual, their first stop was the local Jewish prayer hall. Many Jews became believers, as did many non-Jewish people

During their stay in Iconium, Paul and Barnabas preached fearlessly for the Lord. And the Lord supported them by allowing miracles to be worked by them

But their success again aroused opposition, and they were in danger of being stoned. So they went to Lycaonia and preached the Good News there

Jesus, please help Gospel workers by allowing miracles to be worked by them

Recording

Acts 15.36-40

Some time after this, Paul said to Barnabas "Let's revisit the towns where we preached the word of the Lord".

Barnabas suggested taking John Mark with them, but Paul opposed this, since John Mark had deserted them on the previous trip when the situation became dangerous

After a violent argument, Paul and Barnabas split up. Barnabas went with John Mark to Cyprus. Silas joined Paul for his next journey

Jesus, at your Last Supper  you prayed  for the unity of your followers.  Help us avoid arguments

Recording

Pope: Hidden heroism of families caring for the sick 
- "we must educate children to solidarity with the sick so that they are not anesthetized to the sufferings of others, but rather are capable of helping others"

Pope cautions against basing faith on Medjugorje visions

Aftab Bahadur’s killing is not only tragic, it is perverse
(... no wonder there are so many asylum seekers from Pakistan...)

Sr. Joan Chittister

Whose artificial intelligence should we be worrying about?
At every level of humanity, we seem to prefer technology to relationships ..... As national elections begin to depend on who wants to buy whom and all wealth rises to the top around the world, we need to stop a minute. We need to ask ourselves who we really want to be and who we have become. And then, as a people, we must demand better.

Not seen, not heard, often not reported – the harrowing stories of Australia's detainees

God’s work offers a bounty of stress
In the United States, the road to glory is lined with priests, preachers, and rabbis who have run out of spiritual gas — victims of overwork, low pay, isolation, contentious congregations, and the rigors of life in a “fish bowl.”

Pope  Francis:  Full text     
The Joy of the Gospel 

17.  I have chosen to present some guidelines which can encourage and guide the whole Church in a new phase of evangelization, one marked by enthusiasm and vitality.

10 years ago today

2005-06-11 Renovations at Ricci Centre.....+ evening meal with the poor at Marco Polo Centre

A teenager was sitting in church, and when the collection plate was passed around, he quickly pulled a dollar bill from his pocket and dropped it in. Just then, the person behind him tapped him on his shoulder and handed him a $20 bill. The boy smiled, placed the $20 in the plate and passed it on, admiring that the man was being generous. Then the boy felt another tap from behind and heard a whisper, "Son," the man said, "that was your $20 bill that had fallen out of your pocket" 

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Thursday,  please bless the people of S.E. Asia & Pacific

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 11th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Hunan

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 11th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Eritrea

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify Al-Qaeda

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from Tanzanian inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's South America file 
(stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from South American inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

My Islam File     

The New Translation

Pope Francis attacks ‘gender ideology’

“Without mutual commitment, neither of the two will be able to understand the other in depth.

The complementarity of man and woman – the summit of divine creation – is being questioned by what is called gender ideology"

An amazing story of courage and perseverance: 

The Journey:  A refugee's odyssey from Syria to Sweden

HK readers might like to join me in praying each day for one group of HK prison inmates:

Sun:   Lo Wu
Mon:  C.I.C., Siu Lam, Tai Lam
Tue:   Stanley 
Wed:  Hei Ling Chau
Thu:   Lantau 
Fri:     Lai Chi Kok
Sat:     Hospitals, Pik Uk & other centres

Genesis 37

Jacob loved Joseph more than  his other sons because Joseph was the son of his old age. Jacob had a special coat of many colors made for Joseph.

Joseph's older brothers were jealous of Joseph and hated him.

Joseph had a dream: he became a famous person. This made his brothers hate him all the more.

One day, when the brothers were looking after their sheep in a distant place, Jacob sent Joseph to see how they were.

When the brothers saw Joseph coming, some of them wanted to kill him. Eventually they sold Joseph to some slave traders for 20 silver pieces.

The slave traders took Joseph to Egypt and re-sold him there.

The brothers told Jacob that a wild animal had killed Joseph. Jacob was heart broken and mourned Joseph all the time.

Dear God, please help me not to be jealous of other people

Psalm 4

At the end of this day I praise you, Lord, for all your love and help.

O people of the world, how long will you close your hearts to God?
How long you will keep on chasing false goals?

Lord, you have put into my heart a joy that cannot be obtained by big meals and plenty of wine.

I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once, for you, Lord, make me dwell in safety and peace

Thank you, Lord, for your love and help right through today

Recording

James 1

From James, servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Greetings to believers scattered around the world

You will always have difficulties and things going wrong. When they happen, praise God for them and patiently keep going

Blessed are people who stand firm when trials come. They have proved themselves, and will win the prize of eternal life which the Lord has promised to those who love him

Jesus, please give me patience and praise when life gets tough

Recording

Matthew 6.25-34

Jesus said to the crowds that life is about more than food and clothing.

Pointing to some birds flying around, Jesus said: Look at the birds. They don't sow or reap,
yet your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are more precious than the birds.

Pointing to flowers in the field Jesus said: How beautiful are the flowers. They are more beautiful than King Solomon's clothing.

If God cares so much about the life of flowers, won't he care even more about human life?

So, don't spend your day worrying about what you are going to eat and drink and wear.

Put God first in your life, God and a right way of life, then God will look after your physical needs.

Don't waste your energy worrying about tomorrow. Live life one day at a time.

Heavenly Father, thank you for caring for the birds and flowers ....and me!

Recording

Chris McDonnell (Wed UK blogger) 

Eucharist
Those of us who experienced house masses in the aftermath of the Council remember the familiarity they engendered which didn’t stop with the Dismissal but continued over coffee and biscuits and friendly conversation. The extension of meal was both natural and welcome.

Tanzania's Dr Slaa on a week-long tour of Europe
During the tour, Dr Slaa is expected to meet and hold talks with the bloc’s top leaders on wide ranging issues of governance and development

The presidency is not for every tom, dick and harry

US prisoner set to be released after four decades in solitary confinement

Pope  Francis:  Full text     
The Joy of the Gospel 

16. I do not believe that the Pope should be expected to offer a definitive or complete word on every question which affects the Church and the world. It is not advisable for the Pope to take the place of local Bishops in the discernment of every issue which arises in their territory. I am conscious of the need to promote a sound decentralization.

On a very cold, snowy Sunday in February, only the pastor and one farmer arrived at the village church. The pastor said, "Well, I guess we won't have a service today." The farmer replied, "Heck, if even only one cow shows up at feeding time, I feed it."

Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:

Sun: Africa        Mon: Europe & Russia     Tues: South Asia      Wed: East Asia  
Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific       Frid: South America       Sat: Central & North America 
  
Jesus, today, Wednesday,  please bless the people of East Asia

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 10th of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Hubei

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 10th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Guinea

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, please pacify Al-Shabaab 

New letter (in Swahili) from a Tanzanian inmate in a HK prison

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from Tanzanian inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's South America file 
(stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters  from South American inmates  in Hong Kong prisons

This website's HK Asylum Seekers' File
(stopping South Asians from being "people smuggled" to HK)

Pope Francis:
Thank you Holy Spirit

Inspiring photos:

Link
Link		Links 01  02	Link
Link	Link		Link
Link	Link		Link
Link	Link		Link

Newness, harmony, mission

Engagements of Pope Francis

Zenit.org - reports from Rome

This website's kind bloggers
(past and present)
with archives of articles:

Bakhita
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Inigo Joachim
Brian Lewis
 Judith Lynch 
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Chris McDonnell
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Darlene Starrs
 TASMAD
David Timbs 
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This website tries to stop "tanks"
(war, global warming, exploitation of the poor, globalisation of indifference, liturgical "reform of the reform" & other anti-Vatican II forces etc)

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The unjust treatment
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Hans Küng:  Letter to bishops  

Revolution to stop authoritarianism 

Fr Joseph Ratzinger: 
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Robert Mickens:  
Vatican Implosion

Nicholas Lash:     Vatican II: 
Of Happy Memory - and Hope?

Robert McNally:  
Crisis & Criticism in the Church 

Priests 9 Masses a day
 - need to ordain married men

Why are women not being
 ordained to priesthood?   (updated)

A Call to Action
Assn Catholic Priests Ireland
Bp Pat Power
Bp Geoff Robinson
Bruce Duncan
Catalyst for Renewal
Catholica
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Catholics for Renewal 
STANDUP4VATICAN2
The Swag
VII - Voice of the Church
We Are Church

Excellent articles on Mission
  Hugh McMahon SSC

Imposter Priests
- refusing to pass on the teaching of Francis' The Joy of the Gospel

My Islam File

Political leaders who live(d) a simple life style and care(d) for the poor

HK Democracy File - essential reading

HK Asylum Seekers File

IS (ISIS) File - Essential Reading

Gaza File - essential reading

----------------------------

1998 ICEL Sacramentary

Misguided Missal 

The new translation
Ghastly process/result

Ron Schmit:
 1962 Mass a condemnation of Vat II

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 Sacred Space  Daily prayer online.
Available in 19 languages

Jackie Evancho  - To Believe

Pray-as-you-go.org
Daily prayer with beautiful music

Whole text of 1966 Jerusalem Bible

The Last Supper -  Bohdan Piasecki 
(click to enlarge)

The Lord's Day (Pope John Paul II)

Bob Welsh - My Christmas Eve

 A Tale of Two Brains

The Story of Jonah 
as Told by The Cutest Little Girl
(gets even better as it goes along)

YouTube from KLM!

North Africa refugee boat - Link

Abortion Survivor’s Letter
 to the Abortionist

Tribalism lives on, 
for better and for worse

Video: Sydney Peace Prize Lecture by Julian Burnside  

16 Documents of Vatican II

This website's 
Reflections on the 16 documents
 of Vatican II

Be careful of junk reading re Pope:
Chancery report in English
Chancery report in Chinese

Why I collect rubbish for Pope

Taking a stand

Navigation Aids      

  Standing up to bullies

"Reform of reform" agenda

Too Western/European 

Abortion - a true story

The evil of compulsory celibacy

Link between compulsory celibacy
 and sexual abuse

"Same-sex marriage": 
two elephants in the men's room     

     Near Death Experiences

Globalisation of Indifference

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China Library
 - essential reading for anyone interested in China's Christian history