V2Catholic.com  A voice for the poor  Edited by HK prison chaplain 
 
Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I .
胡頌恆神父    jdwomi@gmail.com   

Links, Search & Archives     Imitating Pope Francis

          

This website's anti-drug campaign  saves people from going to prison in HK     See & share inmates' letters! 
HK   Indon   Kenya   Nigeria   Phil   S.A.   S.Amer   Thail   Tanz   Ug   EU
How campaign began
  HK:how long prison for  trafficking?   www.AsylumSeekerHK.com

Tues April 4
Ching Ming Festival

  Good News! To its credit, the Department of Justice has dropped charges against a Filipina in detention since last Sept after receiving a parcel from DHL. She was tricked to accept the parcel ... containing drugs. Her acquittal will Please God help others. I'll try to post more information about this case in the next few days ... especially after a hearing tomorrow morning in the Court of Appeal for an Indonesian domestic helper in the same boat as the Filipina. I'm hoping the Filipina will attend court with me and her story will help the Indonesian lady. The story of the Filipina, with photos of the Nigerian who tricked her, is Here. The Filipina is urgently looking for a new employer in HK - please email me if you can help: jdwomi@gmail.com 

Two elderly men from the Czech Republic, now in detention in HK, are the latest victims of Drug Lords targeting vulnerable people to go to HK as drug mules. This 3 min. report by Czech TV (possibly preceded by an advertisement) features Australian barrister Kevin Egan and myself as we go into bat for the two men

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here     
Readings are from Simple Bible

Deuteronomy 9: Moses continued his speech to the people: "Listen, Israel, you are soon to cross the Jordan River, to dispossess nations greater and stronger than yourself. Know that the Lord your God will go in front of you. So often in the past you forgot the Lord. So often you were rebels and did not obey the Lord. In future you must rebel no more.
Dear Lord, please don't let me ever rebel against you
My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 97: The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, the many coastlands be glad. Cloud and darkness are his robes. His throne is justice and goodness. The skies proclaim his goodness. All peoples see his glory. Let those who serve idols be ashamed. Let all creation worship  the Creator. Light shines forth for good people and joy for the upright of heart. Rejoice in the Lord, all good people. Give glory to his holy name. 
Lord, you indeed are God of the universe
Recording

 

Romans 16.1-25: Please welcome our friend Phoebe, a deaconess in the church at Cenchrea. She has helped many people, including myself. Greetings to all my friends in Rome, especially Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked death to save my life. Be careful of people whose teaching is suspect. Avoid them. Glory to him who is able to give you strength to live according to the Good News.
Jesus, help me live according to your Good News. Thank you for the beautiful letter to the Romans

Recording


Luke 19.41-48: As Jesus caught sight of Jerusalem, he shed tears over it and said "How I wish you had accepted my message of peace. You will be totally destroyed, because you rejected God's offer of grace". Jesus then went into the Temple and drove out the sellers. According to the Scripture", he said, "my house will be a house of prayer. But you have turned it into a robbers' den". Each day Jesus taught in the Temple. The leaders wanted to do away with him, but they didn't know how to, since most of the ordinary  people had great respect for Jesus. 
Jesus, please don't let me ever reject your friendship

Recording


Reflection on the above readings:

Jesus cried, not for himself, but for Jerusalem. As a loyal Jew he was in anguish at the thought that Jerusalem would be destroyed. Jerusalem represents every person, every group, every place that rejects God's friendship .... just as parents weep if their son or daughter goes to prison. 

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Pope Francis: The Joy of Love  - on love in the family
Full English text      Full Chinese text

52: Recording  No one can think that the weakening of the family as that natural society founded on marriage will prove beneficial to society as a whole. 

The contrary is true: it poses a threat to the mature growth of individuals, the cultivation of community values and the moral progress of cities and countries.

There is a failure to realize that only the exclusive and indissoluble union between a man and a woman has a plenary role to play in society as a stable commitment that bears fruit in new life.

We need to acknowledge the great variety of family situations that can offer a certain stability, but de facto or same-sex unions, for example, may not simply be equated with marriage. 

No union that is temporary or closed to the transmission of life can ensure the future of society. 

But nowadays who is making an effort to strengthen marriages, to help married couples overcome their problems, to assist them in the work of raising children and, in general, to encourage the stability of the marriage bond?

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March 3: Drug Lords arrested in Kenya

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Pope's letter on climate change:  Laudato Si  我主應受讚美
Full English text       Full Chinese text

48a: Recording The human environment and the natural environment deteriorate together; we cannot adequately combat environmental degradation unless we attend to causes related to human and social degradation.

 In fact, the deterioration of the environment and of society affects the most vulnerable people on the planet: "Both everyday experience and scientific research show that the gravest effects of all attacks on the environment are suffered by the poorest".

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Jan-Feb-March statistics for my websites
- around 100 unique views each day for v2catholic.com - Thank you Jesus! Please bless all viewers/bloggers!

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Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel   
Full English text         Full Chinese text

26: Recording  Paul VI invited us to deepen the call to renewal and to make it clear that renewal does not only concern individuals but the entire Church. 

This is the source of the Church's heroic and impatient struggle for renewal: the struggle to correct those flaws introduced by her members which her own self-examination, mirroring her exemplar, Christ, points out to her and condemns.

The Second Vatican Council presented ecclesial conversion as openness to a constant self-renewal born of fidelity to Jesus Christ: "Every renewal of the Church essentially consists in an increase of fidelity to her own calling.

Christ summons the Church as she goes her pilgrim way to that continual reformation of which she always has need, in so far as she is a human institution here on earth".

There are some ecclesial structures which can hamper efforts at evangelization, and even good structures are only helpful when there is a life constantly driving, sustaining and assessing them

Without new life and an authentic evangelical spirit any new structure will soon prove ineffective

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  For 18 years, I thought she was stealing my identity. Until I found her

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

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia
Tues: South Asia  
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific 
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent., N. 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 4th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Guangdong

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 4th of the month,  Jesus please bless the people of Mozambique

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

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Mon April 3

I've just started reading The Great Divide by Nobel Prize author Joseph Stiglizt. These sample pages are alarming. They show how the 2008 financial crisis was human made ... and make me think that President Trump is now laying the foundation for yet another crisis - by supporting "unfettered Capitalism":
The-Great-Divide-006.jpg (75170 bytes) The-Great-Divide-007.jpg (190800 bytes) The-Great-Divide-008-009.jpg (388795 bytes) The-Great-Divide-010.jpg (192735 bytes)

This excellent article hits 8 nails on the head:
The power of Pentecostalism

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here     
Readings are from Simple Bible

Deuteronomy 8: Moses continued his speech to the people: "Remember how the Lord your God led you for 40 years in the wilderness, to humble you, to test you, to know your inmost heart - whether you would keep his commandments or not. He humbled you, he fed you with manna, to make you understand that we do not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Learn from this that the Lord your God was training you as a man trains his child. Keep the commandments of the Lord your God. Follow his ways and reverence him. When you become prosperous in the land that God is giving you, do not become proud and say your own efforts have brought you success. Take care and do not forget the Lord your God.
Dear Lord, don't let me ever forget all you have done for me

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 96: O sing a new song to the Lord. Sing to the Lord, all the earth. O sing to the Lord, bless his name. Proclaim his help day by day. Tell among the nations his glory, and his wonders among all the peoples. It was the Lord who made the heavens. Give the Lord, you families of peoples, give the Lord glory and honor. Bring an offering and enter his temple. Worship the Lord in his sacred place. Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad. Let the sea and all within it thunder praise. Let the land and all it bears rejoice, all the trees of the forest shout for joy. Everyone and everything, give the Lord glory and honor.
Lord, you are our Creator. We love and praise you
Recording

 

Romans 15.15-33: The reason I have written to you is to encourage you in your faith.  This is my job from God. He has appointed me as a priest of Jesus Christ. I must do all I can to spread the Good News. I hope to see you on my way to Spain. Please pray for me that I may be protected from people who want to eliminate me. 
Jesus, help me do all I can to spread your Good News

Recording


Luke 19.28-40: When Jesus came near to Jerusalem, he sent two disciples to a nearby village to get a donkey colt which no one had ever ridden. Jesus sat on the colt and began the descent from the Mount of Olives down the hill to Jerusalem. The disciples  spread their clothes on the road, and joyfully praised God for all the miracles they had seen. They cried out "Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" Some religious leaders told Jesus to stop the disciples from calling out. Jesus replied "If these keep silence, the stones will cry out".
Jesus, you who came in the name of the Lord, we praise and love you

Recording

Reflection on the above readings:
In these two weeks before Easter, let's try to give a bit more time to thinking about Jesus as he neared the end of his earthly life.
 ... "Lest We Forget" ...

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Pope Francis: The Joy of Love  - on love in the family
Full English text      Full Chinese text

51: Recording  Drug use was also mentioned as one of the scourges of our time, causing immense suffering and even breakup for many families. 

The same is true of alcoholism, gambling and other addictions. 

The family could be the place where these are prevented and overcome, but society and politics fail to see that families at risk "lose the ability to act to help their members. 

We see the serious effects of this breakdown in families torn apart, the young uprooted and the elderly abandoned, children who are orphans of living parents, adolescents and young adults confused and unsupported."

As the Bishops of Mexico have pointed out, violence within families breeds new forms of social aggression, since "family relationships can also explain the tendency to a violent personality. 

This is often the case with families where communication is lacking, defensive attitudes predominate, the members are not supportive of one another, family activities that encourage participation are absent, the parental relationship is frequently conflictual and violent, and relationships between parents and children are marked by hostility.

Violence within the family is a breeding-ground of resentment and hatred in the most basic human relationships".

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Pope's letter on climate change:  Laudato Si  
我主應受讚美
Full English text       Full Chinese text

47b: Recording  Real relationships with others, with all the challenges they entail, now tend to be replaced by a type of internet communication which enables us to choose or eliminate relationships at whim, thus giving rise to a new type of contrived emotion which has more to do with devices and displays than with other people and with nature. 

Today's media do enable us to communicate and to share our knowledge and affections.

Yet at times they also shield us from direct contact with the pain, the fears and the joys of others and the complexity of their personal experiences. 

For this reason, we should be concerned that, alongside the exciting possibilities offered by these media, a deep and melancholic dissatisfaction with interpersonal relations, or a harmful sense of isolation, can also arise.

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Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel   
Full English text         Full Chinese text

25: Recording  I am aware that nowadays documents do not arouse the same interest as in the past and that they are quickly forgotten. Nevertheless, I want to emphasize that what I am trying to express here has a programatic significance and important consequences. 

I hope that all communities will devote the necessary effort to advancing along the path of a pastoral and missionary conversion which cannot leave things as they presently are. "Mere administration" can no longer be enough. Throughout the world, let us be "permanently in a state of mission".

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Daniel Daring: Year with Matthew - 14

Radical Discipleship - Part II

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

Sun: Africa 
Mon: Europe, Russia
Tues: South Asia  
Wed: East Asia 
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific 
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent., N. 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 3rd of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Gansu

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month: 
On this 3rd of the month,  Jesus please bless the people of Burundi

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today,
Monday, please pacify I.S.

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Sun April 2

This afternoon, together with a representative of Sant Egidio (a group that has a number of joint-ventures in Italy with Pope Francis!) and other local volunteers, I'm due to take part in the signing of a contract for two premises in my own street, Temple Street: a room that can house 4 people (= emergency accommodation for women) and a former night club which can house more than a dozen people (= an emergency accommodation for men). Both premises are in the same building (the room on the 3/F; the "night club" on the 1/F) and belong to the same owner, who is a Catholic and is giving us a very special deal. Without having fully crossed this first bridge we are already looking at the next bridge: employment for the 12+ 4 people. One possibility: the setting up of a second hand shop in the Jordan-Yau Ma Tei area (where there is a large non-Chinese community as well as a large Chinese community who would appreciate the chance to buy clothing, furniture etc at a lower price. Come Holy Spirit and please bless these ventures!

"Alarmed and outraged"- 200 scholars criticise prosecution of HK pro-democracy leaders

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here     
Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. readings for Lent 5

Ezekiel 35-48: Through Ezekiel, God kept calling on the people to turn from their sins and remember their Creator. God said he would bring back Israel's exiles to their homeland. He would give them a new start in life, like a skeleton coming back to life. God said the people would rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, and religious practice would once again flourish. The people would once again remember God. The people would once again be blessed by the Lord.
Lord, please help nations which have forgotten you to come back to you

My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 130: Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice. If you, O Lord, should  record our guilt, Lord, who would survive? But with you is found forgiveness. For this we revere you. My soul is waiting for the Lord. I count on his word. My soul is longing for the Lord more than watchman for the daybreak. With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. Israel indeed he will redeem from all its  iniquity.
Lord, please forgive me for all the bad things I have done

Recording

 

Romans 8.9-13: You are on God's team. God the Father is the manager. Jesus is the captain. The Holy Spirit is the coach, a coach living in your heart. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead, is living in you, then he who raised Jesus from the dead will help you live a risen life. By the grace of the Holy Spirit you can stop doing bad things.
Holy Spirit of Jesus, Holy Spirit of the Father, fall afresh on me!

Recording


 

John 11.1-44: Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha lived in the village of Bethany. When Lazarus became very sick, the sisters sent a message to Jesus "Lord, your dear friend is very sick". By the time  Jesus and his disciples arrived in Bethany,
Lazarus was dead and buried for 4 days. Martha said to Jesus "If you had been here, my brother would not have died". Jesus replied "I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, he will have life after death". Jesus said to Mary and Martha "Where have you put him?"  Jesus cried as he went to the tomb. The tomb was a cave with a stone at the entrance. Jesus said "Take the stone away". Then he called out in a loud voice "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, wrapped in burial clothes. Jesus said "Unwrap him and let him go free".

Jesus, you are the Resurrection and the Life. Please give eternal life to my friend (....name...) who died recently

Recording

  

 

 Reflection on the above readings: 
Video commentary on today's readings - in Spanish with English subtitles

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Pope Francis: The Joy of Love  - on love in the family
Full English text      Full Chinese text

50: Recording  Some challenges: The responses given to the two pre-synodal consultations spoke of a great variety of situations and the new challenges that they pose.

In addition to those already mentioned, many of the respondents pointed to the problems families face in raising children.

In many cases, parents come home exhausted, not wanting to talk, and many families no longer even share a common meal.

Distractions abound, including an addiction to television. 

This makes it all the more difficult for parents to hand on the faith to their children. 

Other responses pointed to the effect of severe stress on families, who often seem more caught up with securing their future than with enjoying the present. 

This is a broader cultural problem, aggravated by fears about steady employment, finances and the future of children.

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Pope's letter on climate change:  Laudato Si  我主應受讚美
Full English text       Full Chinese text

47a: Recording  Furthermore, when media and the digital world become omnipresent, their influence can stop people from learning how to live wisely, to think deeply and to love generously.

In this context, the great sages of the past run the risk of going unheard amid the noise and distractions of an information overload.

Efforts need to be made to help these media become sources of new cultural progress for humanity and not a threat to our deepest riches.

True wisdom, as the fruit of self-examination, dialogue and generous encounter between persons, is not acquired by a mere accumulation of data which eventually leads to overload and confusion, a sort of mental pollution. 

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Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel   
Full English text         Full Chinese text

24: Recording  An evangelizing community is always concerned with fruit, because the Lord wants her to be fruitful. 

It cares for the grain and does not grow impatient at the weeds

The sower, when he sees weeds sprouting among the grain does not grumble or overreact

He or she finds a way to let the word take flesh in a particular situation and bear fruits of new life, however imperfect or incomplete these may appear.  

The disciple is ready to put his or her whole life on the line, even to accepting martyrdom, in bearing witness to Jesus Christ, yet the goal is not to make enemies but to see God's word accepted and its capacity for liberation and renewal revealed.

An evangelizing community is filled with joy; it knows how to rejoice always. 

It celebrates every small victory, every step forward in the work of evangelization.

Evangelization with joy becomes beauty in the liturgy, as part of our daily concern to spread goodness.

The Church evangelizes and is herself evangelized through the beauty of the liturgy, which is both a celebration of the task of evangelization and the source of her renewed self-giving.

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Hour of Love HK radio program 8.30 pm HK time tonight - with messages about inmates in HK prisons 

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  To go with today's readings:


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

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia 
Tues: South Asia  
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific 
Fri: South America
Sat: Cent., Nth 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 2nd of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Fujian

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 2nd of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Niger

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

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Sat April 1 (Feast Day of athiests?)

I spent yesterday morning at the High Court in support of a woman from South America being sentenced for drug trafficking. Kind judge adjourned the case to give more time for defence to show how the woman and her family have supported my anti-drug campaign.

Next I took part in a TV interview with a team from Czech media ... will help stop the recruitment of drug mules from Europe/Russia

Then I attended a most encouraging meeting that is preparing to set up an NGO to continue and expand my anti-drug campaign work (... to be a voice for inmates on issues like sentence policy, sentence reduction, prisoner transfers etc). 

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here     
Readings are from Simple Bible

Deuteronomy 7: Moses continued his speech to the people: "You are a people consecrated to the Lord your God. It is you that the Lord our God has chosen to be his very own people out of all the peoples on the earth. But know this: if the Lord set his heart on you and chose you, it was not because you outnumbered other peoples. In fact you were the least of all peoples. It was for love of you and to keep his promise to our ancestors that the Lord chose you. Listen then to these ordinances, be true to them and observe them, and in return the Lord your God will be true to you. He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your body and the produce of your soil, your corn, your wine, your oil, the issue of your cattle, the young of your flock. No man or woman among will shall be barren, no male or female of your beasts infertile. The Lord will keep all sickness far from you. Be loyal then to the Lord and have nothing to do with the religious practices of the people you will conquer."
Dear God, please help us to love you as we should

My recording of this reading  01  02

 

Psalm 95: Come ring out our joy to the Lord. Hail the rock who saves us. Let us come before him giving thanks. With songs let us praise the Lord. A mighty God is the Lord, a great king above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth. The heights of the mountains are his. To him belongs the sea, for he made it, and the dry land shaped by his hands. Come in, let us bow and bend low. Let us kneel before the God who made us. For he is our God and we are the people who belong to his pasture. 
Lord, you are our Creator. Our life comes from you. We praise and love you, Lord

Recording

 

Romans 15.4-13: Learn hope from the Scriptures, from the example of people who did not give up, and were helped by God. May the God of hope bring you such joy and peace in your faith, that the power of the Holy Spirit will remove all bounds to hope. 
Holy Spirit of God, help me understand that no situation in this life is ever hopeless, that you can enlighten even the darkest place
Recording



Luke 19.1-9: In Jericho there was a wealthy man named Zacchaeus, a senior tax collector. He wanted to see what kind of person Jesus was. But because of his short stature he couldn't see over the crowd. So he climbed a tree. Jesus saw him up the tree and said "Zacchaeus, come down, because I will stay at your house today". Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed Jesus warmly. People complained "He's gone to stay at the house of an outcast". Zacchaeus replied "Sir, I am going to give half of my property to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I'll pay them back fourfold". Jesus said to him "Today salvation has come to this house".
Jesus, please help more people to want to know and love you

Recording

Reflection on the above readings: 
In the Gospel of last Wednesday (below) a rich young man "went away sad" when he declined Jesus' invitation to give all he owned to the poor and follow Jesus. Today we have a wealthy older man, Zacchaeus, giving half of his property to the poor ... and with gladness accepting Jesus into his house. Maybe Zaccahaeus was clever ... he got in first ... before Jesus could/might invite him to give away everything he spoke up first and gave away just half!

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Pope Francis: The Joy of Love  - on love in the family
Full English text      Full Chinese text

49: Recording  Here I would also like to mention the situation of families living in dire poverty and great limitations. 

The problems faced by poor households are often all the more trying. 

For example, if a single mother has to raise a child by herself and needs to leave the child alone at home while she goes to work, the child can grow up exposed to all kinds of risks and obstacles to personal growth. 

In such difficult situations of need, the Church must be particularly concerned to offer understanding, comfort and acceptance, rather than imposing straightaway a set of rules that only lead people to feel judged and abandoned by the very Mother called to show them God's mercy. 

Rather than offering the healing power of grace and the light of the Gospel message, some would "indoctrinate" that message, turning it into "dead stones to be hurled at others".

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Sr. Anastasia, M.M. (黄修女) - updates:  

http://anastasialindawatimm. blogspot.hk/2017/03/sharing- 2017-csd-staff-training.html

http://anastasialindawatimm. blogspot.hk/2016/07/ information-video-about- global.html

http://anastasialindawatimm. blogspot.hk/2017/03/sharing- 2017-lenten-reflection.html

http://anastasialindawatimm. blogspot.hk/2017/02/article- dont-sweat-small-stuffand-its. html

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Pope's letter on climate change:  Laudato Si  
我主應受讚美
Full English text       Full Chinese text

46: Recording The social dimensions of global change include the effects of technological innovations on employment, social exclusion, an inequitable distribution and consumption of energy and other services, social breakdown, increased violence and a rise in new forms of social aggression, drug trafficking, growing drug use by young people, and the loss of identity.

These are signs that the growth of the past two centuries has not always led to an integral development and an improvement in the quality of life.

Some of these signs are also symptomatic of real social decline, the silent rupture of the bonds of integration and social cohesion.

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Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel   
Full English text         Full Chinese text

23: Recording  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"

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 A man from the Czech Republic is currently in detention. Doesn't speak any English. So I bought a Lonely Planet Czech phrasebook for him. A cheque book?

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

Sun: Africa          
Mon:
Europe, Russia           
Tues:
South Asia  
Wed: East Asia                         
Thurs:
S.E. Asia, Pacific 
Frid: South America                   
Sat: Central & N. 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 1st
of the month,  Jesus please bless the prisoners of Anhui

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 1st of the month,  Jesus please bless the people of Congo

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

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Frid March 31 

Cardinal Tong asks incoming HK leader for reform

Drugs kingpin jailed for 35 years

Today in the High Court a woman is due to be sentenced for drug trafficking. Her support for my anti-drug campaign will hopefully obtain a slight discount in her sentence. Her efforts have been put here by the kind co-ordinator of the campaign's South American Facebook site 

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Fridays of Lent: 

Prayer before a Crucifix

The Jesus Stabat Mater

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here    
  Readings are from Simple Bible

Deuteronomy 6: Moses continued his speech to the people: "Listen Israel. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength. Let these words I urge on you today be written on your heart. You shall repeat them to your children and say them when you are resting in your house or going for a walk, when you are lying down and when you get up. You shall fasten them on your hand as a sign and on your forehead as a circlet. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
Dear Lord, please help us to love you with all our hearts
My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 94: O Lord,  Judge of the earth, how long will the wicked crush the poor? The wicked say "God does not hear". But can he who made the ear, not hear? Blessed are those whom the Lord teaches. The Lord gives them peace in troubled times. When cares increase in my heart, God's consolation calms my soul. 
Lord, when cares and troubles increase, please  help us to trust in you.
Recording

 

Romans 14.7 - 15.2: The life and death of each of us, has its influence on others. If we live, we live for the Lord. If we die, we die for the Lord. Alive or dead, we belong to the Lord. Never pass judgment on other people. Never treat other people with contempt. The kingdom of God is not about eating special food. The kingdom of God is about friendship with God, and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Do whatever you can to help other people become stronger Christians.
Jesus, please help me be a good Christian

Recording


 

Luke 18.35-43: As Jesus entered Jericho, there was a blind beggar sitting by the road. People in the crowd told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. So he called out "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me". Some people told him to be quiet, but he just shouted all the louder "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me". Jesus stopped and asked him "What do you want me to do for you?" He replied "Sir, let me see again". Jesus said to him "Receive your sight. Your faith has saved you".
Instantly his sight returned, and he followed Jesus, praising God.

Jesus, please heal my blind friend ......( name )...
Recording

Reflection on the above Bible readings:
On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus passed through Jericho. Jesus knew what awaited him in Jerusalem, but he didn't let thoughts of the future stop him from doing acts of kindness in the present (... healing the blind man). May we also not be stopped from present good deeds by future fears

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Pope Francis: The Joy of Love  - on love in the family
Full English text      Full Chinese text

48: Recording  "Most families have great respect for the elderly, surrounding them with affection and considering them a blessing.

A special word of appreciation is due to those associations and family movements committed to serving the elderly, both spiritually and socially

In highly industrialized societies, where the number of elderly persons is growing even as the birth rate declines, they can be regarded as a burden.

On the other hand, the care that they require often puts a strain on their loved ones".

"Care and concern for the final stages of life is all the more necessary today, when contemporary society attempts to remove every trace of death and dying. 

The elderly who are vulnerable and dependent are at times unfairly exploited simply for economic advantage.

Many families show us that it is possible to approach the last stages of life by emphasizing the importance of a person's sense of fulfilment and participation in the Lord's paschal mystery.

A great number of elderly people are cared for in Church institutions, where, materially and spiritually, they can live in a peaceful, family atmosphere.

Euthanasia and assisted suicide are serious threats to families worldwide; in many countries, they have been legalized. The Church, while firmly opposing these practices, feels the need to assist families who take care of their elderly and infirm members".

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Pope's letter on climate change:  Laudato Si  我主應受讚美
Full English text       Full Chinese text

 45: Recording  In some places, rural and urban alike, the privatization of certain spaces has restricted people's access to places of particular beauty. 

In others, "ecological" neighbourhoods have been created which are closed to outsiders in order to ensure an artificial tranquillity.

Frequently, we find beautiful and carefully manicured green spaces in so-called "safer" areas of cities, but not in the more hidden areas where the disposable of society live.

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Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel   
Full English text         Full Chinese text

22: Recording   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

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 One of HK Metro's common announcements is: "Please mind the gap between carriage and platform". Yesterday as I took the metro to visit Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre I noticed a new Colgate toothpaste advertisement in my carriage: "Please mind the bad breath"!

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

Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe, Russia        
Tues:
South Asia  
Wed: East Asia            
Thurs:
S.E. Asia, Pacific 
Frid: S. America     
Sat:
Cent., N. 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 31st of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Tianjin

And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
 
On this 31st of the month,  Jesus please bless the people of Nepal

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday, please bless all Muslims

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Thur March 30

Letter from a Benin man facing a long sentence in HK for drug trafficking - Here

At the Court of Appeal yesterday morning, two kind judges (co-chairing the appeal) allowed me to speak on behalf of an Indonesian woman on a drug trafficking charge. The judges were most supportive of my work as a voice for the prisoners .... and "reserved their decision" to consider, among other factors, my suggestion that the woman be combined with eight others in the same boat into a special group to be reviewed by the Department of Justice - as was done last year for 10 elderly foreigners charged with drug trafficking. 


  
  Chris McDonnell 
What is it we thirst for?

Yet time and again, water is a powerful symbol in our lives

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here    
  Readings are from Simple Bible

Deuteronomy 5: Moses reminded the people of the Ten Commandments:  1 I am the Lord your God. Do not worship anyone or anything else.  2 Use my name with respect. Do not insult my name.  3 Make the Sabbath a holy day each week.  4 Honor your father and your mother.  5 Do not kill.  6 Do not commit adultery. 7 Do not steal.  8 Do not tell lies about other people.  9 Do not lust after someone else's wife. 10 Do not desire what belongs to someone else. 
Dear God, please help us to put these commandments into practice
My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 93: The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed, he has girded himself with power. The world you made firm, not to be moved. From all eternity, O Lord, you are. The oceans and coastlines of the world are majestic and powerful. But greater than the roar of mighty waters, more glorious than the surging of the sea is the Lord on high. Such a Lord, such a Creator, such a God. Truly your decrees are to be trusted. Holiness is fitting to your house O Lord, always and everywhere.
We praise you, Lord, our Creator
Recording

 

Romans 13.12-14: Let us stop our bad behavior of the past: drunken orgies, immorality, quarreling, jealousy. Let us live good lives. Let the Lord Jesus protect and help us.
Jesus, please help me give up bad behavior

Recording


Luke 18.31-34: Once again Jesus explained to the 12 apostles what would happen to him: "Now we are going to Jerusalem. Everything written about me by the prophets will happen:  I will be handed over to the pagans. I will be mocked and spat on. I will be scourged and put to death. On the third day I will rise from the dead". But the apostles had no idea what his words meant.
Jesus, especially each Friday, please help me to remember you on the Cross
Recording


Reflection on the above Bible readings:
Same basic message in Deuteronomy and Romans: try to be a good person ... try to live a life of goodness ... which means keeping some basic rules .... just like being a good driver means keeping some basic rules!

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Pope Francis: The Joy of Love  - on love in the family
Full English text      Full Chinese text

47: Recording  The Fathers also called particular attention to "families of persons with special needs, where the unexpected challenge of dealing with a disability can upset a family's equilibrium, desires and expectations

Families who lovingly accept the difficult trial of a child with special needs are greatly to be admired. 

They render the Church and society an invaluable witness of faithfulness to the gift of life. 

In these situations, the family can discover, together with the Christian community, new approaches, new ways of acting, a different way of understanding and identifying with others, by welcoming and caring for the mystery of the frailty of human life.

People with disabilities are a gift for the family and an opportunity to grow in love, mutual aid and unity

If the family, in the light of the faith, accepts the presence of persons with special needs, they will be able to recognize and ensure the quality and value of every human life, with its proper needs, rights and opportunities. 

This approach will promote care and services on behalf of these disadvantaged persons and will encourage people to draw near to them and provide affection at every stage of their life". 

Here I would stress that dedication and concern shown to migrants and to persons with special needs alike is a sign of the Spirit.

Both situations are paradigmatic: they serve as a test of our commitment to show mercy in welcoming others and to help the vulnerable to be fully a part of our communities.

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Pope's letter on climate change:  Laudato Si  
我主應受讚美
Full English text       Full Chinese text

44: Recording Nowadays, for example, we are conscious of the disproportionate and unruly growth of many cities, which have become unhealthy to live in, not only because of pollution caused by toxic emissions but also as a result of urban chaos, poor transportation, and visual pollution and noise. 

Many cities are huge, inefficient structures, excessively wasteful of energy and water.

Neighbourhoods, even those recently built, are congested, chaotic and lacking in sufficient green space. 

We were not meant to be inundated by cement, asphalt, glass and metal, and deprived of physical contact with nature.

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Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel   
Full English text         Full Chinese text

21: Recording  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". 

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.

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10 years ago today: 

Visit by International Ladies Club of Macau; Macau Hope Medical Group doctors/nurses running clinic at Bahkita Center

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 Q: Which number are other numbers afraid of? A: 7 (because 7 8 9!)

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

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 South East Asia

And praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 30th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shanghai

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 30th of the month,  Jesus please bless the people of Haiti

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

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Wed March 29

Yesterday afternoon, after the monthly O.M.I. retreat, I joined two other Oblates to see the movie Silence. My feelings much the same as in "Critical response" at the bottom of this link

  Misgivings as Carrie Lam to become HK's new leader

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  Chris McDonnell 

Anticipating Spring and the changing Seasons
Pope Francis has been both a spiritual and cultural shock to the Church

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

The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here     
Readings are from Simple Bible

Deuteronomy 2-4:  Moses continued his talk to the Israelites: "God has been with us these 40 years, watching over us and providing for us. God gave us many victories and continually told us not to be afraid of any enemies. So now, Israel, do not forget God's goodness and help and laws. Do not forget the things your eyes have seen. Make sure to tell these things to your children's children. God has brought you out of Egypt to be his special people. If you seek God with all your heart and soul you will find him. Understand this today, therefore, and take it to heart: The Lord is God indeed, in heaven above as on earth below, he and no other. Keep his laws and commandments as I give them to you today, so that you and your children may prosper and live long in the land that the Lord your God gives you forever."
Lord, please help me to seek you with all my heart
My recording of this reading

 

Psalm 92: It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning, and your truth right through the night. Your deeds, O Lord, have made me glad. For the work of your hands, I shout with joy. To me you give the wild ox's strength. You anoint me with the purest oil. May we love and praise you right through our lives, right till the end of our days. May we keep on proclaiming your goodness, proclaiming that in you, our rock, there is only goodness.
Lord, it is right and fitting to love and praise you
Recording

 

Romans 13.8-9: Avoid getting into debt, except the debt of love we owe each other. Love other people as you should, and you will keep all the commandments. All the commandments concerning other people - You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal etc - are summed up in the words "You must care about your neighbor as much as you care about yourself".
Jesus,  help me care about others as much as I care about myself
Recording


Luke 18.18-23: A young man from a prominent family asked Jesus "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus replied "You know the commandments: you must not commit adultery, you must not kill, you must not steal, you must honor your father and mother". The man answered "I have kept all these commandments all my life". Jesus then said "There is still one higher goal: sell all you own, give the money to the poor, then come follow me". But when the man heard this he was very sad, because he was very rich. 
Jesus, please help me follow you the way you want me to follow you
 
Recording

 Reflection on the above readings: 
The more we try to love God and care for others, the more sense our life will make. The less we care about loving God and caring for others, the less sense our life will make!  

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Pope Francis: The Joy of Love  - on love in the family
Full English text      Full Chinese text

46b: Recording  Migration is particularly dramatic and devastating to families and individuals when it takes place illegally and is supported by international networks of human trafficking. 

This is especially true when it involves women or unaccompanied children who are forced to endure long periods of time in temporary facilities and refugee camps, where it is impossible to start a process of integration.

Extreme poverty and other situations of family breakdown sometimes even lead families to sell their children for prostitution or for organ trafficking".

"The persecution of Christians and ethnic and religious minorities in many parts of the world, especially in the Middle East, is a great trial not only for the Church but also the entire international community.

Every effort should be encouraged, starting in a practical way, to assist families and Christian communities to remain in their native lands".

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


Pope's letter on climate change:  Laudato Si  我主應受讚美
Full English text       Full Chinese text

43: Recording  Human beings too are creatures of this world, enjoying a right to life and happiness, and endowed with unique dignity. 

So we cannot fail to consider the effects on people's lives of environmental deterioration, current models of development and the throwaway culture.

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Pope Francis: The Joy of the Gospel   
Full English text         Full Chinese text

20: Recording  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.

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10 years ago today:

In-service visit to CAS Primary classes by Ricci School teachers Cherry & Grace; Garth a guest at CAS secondary Junior 3D class

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

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 29th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Chongqing

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 29th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Mauritania

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

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Please also join me in praying for the very many deformed and handicapped people from China who are on the streets of HK as beggars...as well as deformed people in China itself ...like Hung Chun Cai

        
    My Africa trips: 
2015 - Tanzania, Malawi       2016 - Kenya, Uganda

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Video: What "gay marriage" did to Massachusetts

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Pope's surprise visit to drug treatment centre

Pope is practising what he preaches: "get out and mix with the poor"

 

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


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 Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡 頌 恆 神 父   
 jdwomi@gmail.com  HK mobile  (852) 6709 5674
 China mobile  13030213703 -  out of action for the time being
PO Box 74013 Kowloon Central Post Office, Hong Kong                      

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