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
MercyHK
This
website's anti-drug campaign saves people from going to prison in HK
See & share inmates' letters!
How
campaign began
HK
Indon
Kenya
Malaysia
Nigeria 
Ph 
SA 
S.Amer
Thai
Tz
Ug
EU
HK:how
long prison for trafficking?
Name
& shame
JesusTower
GoodNewsForPoor
Dr
Jesus
China8
SimpleBible
MatteoRicci
Tues Feb 23
Yesterday I attended 2 most encouraging meetings, one in the
morning, one in the afternoon, discussing how to find/create jobs for homeless
people. Maybe coming soon ... a new FB page
More media reports about the work of MercyHK
helping homeless people in the Jordan/ Yau Ma Tei area:
Sing
Tao on line
NowTV Online
Now TV 
Youtube
Helping MercyHK rent rooms for homeless people - Carousell:
Shop 1
Shop
2 (updated lists)
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
226. Renewed encounter does not mean
returning to a time prior to conflicts. All of us change over time. Pain and
conflict transform us. We no
longer have use for empty diplomacy, dissimulation, double-speak, hidden agendas
and good manners that mask reality.
Those who were fierce enemies have to speak from the stark and clear truth. They
have to learn how to cultivate a penitential memory, one that can accept the
past in order not to cloud the future with their own regrets, problems and
plans. Only by basing themselves on the historical truth of events will they be
able to make a broad and persevering effort to understand one another and to
strive for a new synthesis for the good of all.
My article in today's Ming Pao newspaper has the topic: Memo to Paul Chan. It's on Ming Pao website - click "Australian in HK". Text without recording
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Isaiah
7: A foreign king and his army attacked
Jerusalem.
The king of Judah and his people were full of fear. God told Isaiah to say to the king of Judah:
"Keep calm, have no fear. You will not be defeated. The Lord himself gives you a sign of his
protection:
a maiden is with child and will give birth to a son
whom she will call God-with-us."
Lord, please help me
understand how you are God-with-me every day
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
Listen
1
Timothy 6.11-13:
As a man of God, avoid things like greed and
disputes. You must aim to be a saint, filled with faith
and love, patient and gentle. Fight the good fight of the faith, and win for
yourself eternal life. Be a constant witness to goodness and truth,
like Jesus who spoke up as a witness for the truth in front of Pontius
Pilate
Jesus, help me be a witness to goodness
and truth
Listen
Mark
1.21-28:
Jesus and the fishermen went to the town of
Capernaum.
On the Sabbath Jesus began to teach in the local prayer hall.
The listeners were deeply impressed by Jesus' teaching.
Unlike the religious leaders, Jesus taught with authority. That very day in the prayer hall there was a
man possessed by an evil spirit. The spirit shouted out "Have
you come to destroy me, Jesus of Nazareth? I know who you are: the
Holy One of God." Jesus said strongly "Be quiet! Come out
of him!"
The evil spirit threw the man on the ground and with a loud cry went out
of him. The people in the prayer hall were amazed.
They said
"Here is a teaching which has authority. Even evil spirits obey
him." Jesus' reputation quickly spread throughout
the whole district.
Jesus, Holy One of God, please
protect my family from evil
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: "Maiden" in Isaiah can mean young woman or virgin. But when Matthew quoted these words in his gospel, he used the word "virgin". Matthew understood Isaiah to be saying "virgin".
------------------------------
Half way through yesterday morning's meeting (see top of
this menu) when a new topic came up, I realised it would be good to invite one
other person to join us if they were free to come quickly to the meeting place,
since they were interested in the new topic. Then my old brain remembered it is
2021 ... and I phoned the person who joined us by W/App video!
-------------------------------
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 23rd
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Guangxi
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 23rd of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Djibouti
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon Feb 22
Recently a couple in Taiwan, Kingman and Maria, helped MercyHK.
Turns out they have a very special story - how Maria was healed by prayer of a
very serious illness. The story, in Chinese, is here: 01
02 03
Yesterday morning I watched this
Lent reflection by Fr Austin Cooper O.M.I. ... who is a youthful 90 years
old!
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
225. In many parts of the world, there is a need for paths of
peace to heal open wounds. There is also
a need for peacemakers, men and women prepared to work boldly and
creatively to initiate processes of healing and renewed encounter.
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Isaiah
6: In the year 740 B.C.,
I had a vision of the Lord God in Heaven: Above the Lord were 6 angels who cried out
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God.
His glory fills the whole earth." Then I heard a voice asking
"Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?" I answered "Here I am, send
me." Then the Lord sent me to be a prophet to the
people
Here I am, Lord, send me.
I'm willing to do anything you want me to do
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
Listen
1 Timothy
6.3-10: Some people, because of ignorance and pride,
have a craze for questioning and arguing about everything.
Such a craze breeds jealousy and mistrust and
unending disputes. People who have a craving to be wealthy are a
prey to temptation.
They get trapped into all sorts of foolish and dangerous schemes which
ruin their lives. The love of money is the root of all evils. It
can cause people to leave the faith
Jesus, help me be content with a simple
lifestyle
Listen
Mark
1.14-20: Jesus went to Galilee and proclaimed the Good
News from God.
"The time has come" he said "and the kingdom of God is
close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News." As he was walking along by the sea of Galilee,
he saw two fishermen Simon and his brother Andrew. Jesus said to
them "Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men".
Simon and Andrew then followed Jesus.
Going a little further, Jesus saw two more fishermen James and his brother
John. He called them also to follow him. They left their nets and
boat and followed him.
Jesus, please bless all the
people who work full time as "fishers of men"
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: When selecting the first members of his team, Jesus did not choose lawyers or judges or priests or princes or wealthy businessmen ... but ... fishermen
-------------------------
Yesterday's
Gospel about Jesus in the desert reminded me that when I was in primary school I
sometimes used to mix up the spelling of "desert" and
"dessert"!
--------------------
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 22nd of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Zhejiang
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 22nd
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Rwanda
And praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun Feb 21
NowTV report on
work of MercyHK will be live at these HK times:
Tonight: 7.30pm Channel 99 ViuTV; 10.30pm Channel 331 NowTV News
Tomorrow: 1.30pm Channel 332 NowTV News
Youtube/FB link will be on this menu in coming days.
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti: 224: Kindness
ought to be cultivated; it is no superficial bourgeois virtue. Precisely because
it entails esteem and respect for others, once
kindness becomes a culture within society it transforms lifestyles,
relationships and the ways ideas are discussed and compared. Kindness
facilitates the quest for consensus; it opens new paths where hostility and
conflict would burn all bridges.
Bible Study: Mark 12
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Lent 1
Genesis
7-9: Noah's
family and many animals went into the big boat, the "ark". Then for
about 40 days there was heavy rain which caused a great flood. The ark
floated on the water. The people and animals inside the ark were safe but people
and animals outside the ark died. When the rain and flood stopped Noah and his
family and the animals went out of the ark. God made a special agreement
(covenant) with Noah to bless Noah and his family. God told Noah that the
rainbow would be a sign of their agreement.
Dear God, thank you for making the rainbow so
beautiful
Listen
Psalms
24-26: The Lord's is the earth
and all its peoples. It is the Lord who is Creator of the universe. May
all hearts open their doors to the Lord. Let him enter, the king of
glory. Lord I hope in you all the day long. Forgive my sins and help me walk in
your truth.
God my savior, teach me your way of truth
Listen
Mark
1.9-13: About this time
Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the river
Jordan. As soon as Jesus came out of the water, he saw the sky open and the
Spirit, like a dove, coming down on him. Then a voice came from heaven "You
are my Son, the Beloved. My favor rests on you". Straight after this the
Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days. During
this time Jesus was tempted by Satan.
Holy Spirit, please increase your influence in my life
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: A song I wrote for today's Gospel - Jesus fasting in the desert
Video
commentary on today's readings - in Italian, Chinese, English, and
Spanish
(+
Cantonese audio)
-------------------------------
Hour
of Love HK radio program 8.30
pm HK time tonight
- with items about HK prison inmates
-------------------------------
Facebook
vs Australia ((this is like a Jewish civil war: Australian treasurer Josh
Frydenberg, Rupert Murdoch and Mark
Zuckerberg are all Jewish!))
------------------------------
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., N 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 21st
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Yunnan
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 21st of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Benin
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat Feb 20
Yesterday I was at Lo Wu women's prison from 10am to 4pm, and for
the first time entering and leaving a HK prison I used the "Leave Home
Safe" tracing app. Its use on entering HK prisons will be compulsory from
next month, I have heard.
And yesterday MercyHK's little second hand shop at 191 Temple
Street, Jordan, posted sales of $3850 for the day - a record for 2021! Shop
might also be soon using the "Leave Home Safe" app, I have heard!
The U.N. says 15 days in solitary confinement should be the
limit. This
man endured not 15 but 15,000 days in solitary. Shame, USA, shame!
Coffee
with God! - daily readings
and reflections
Pope Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
224.
Kindness frees us from the cruelty that at times infects human relationships,
from the anxiety that prevents us from thinking of others, from the frantic
flurry of activity that forgets that others also have a right to be happy. Often
nowadays we find neither the time nor the energy to stop and be kind to others,
to say "excuse me", "pardon me", "thank you". Yet
every now and then, miraculously, a kind person appears and is willing to set
everything else aside in order to show interest, to give the gift of a smile, to
speak a word of encouragement, to listen amid general indifference. If we
make a daily effort to do exactly this, we can create a healthy social
atmosphere in which misunderstandings can be overcome and conflict forestalled
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Isaiah
5: My friend had a vineyard on a fertile
hillside.
He planted choice vines in it and expected it to produce good grapes.
But it produced only sour grapes.
That vineyard is Israel. Its owner is the Lord.
That chosen plant is the people of Judah. The Lord expected the people of Israel to
produce justice.
But those people have produced only bloodshed and injustice. Those people have no time to think about the
Lord.
They have no interest in what he has done for them. So they are consigning themselves to ruin.
The vineyard will be trampled on and become a waste. Invaders will attack Israel.
The people of Israel will be taken into exile.
All because they rejected the Lord.
"I am the true vine. My
Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that bears no
fruit he cuts away. Every branch that does bear fruit he
prunes to make it bear even more" - Jesus (John 15.1-2)
My
recording of this reading
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
Listen
.jpg)
1
Timothy 5.19-23: Never accept an accusation brought against a
church elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. If an elder
is at fault, reprimand him publicly as a warning to others. Be fair to everyone and never be influenced by
favoritism. As regards your frequent illnesses, I suggest
you give up drinking only water, and have a little wine for the sake of
your digestion.
Jesus, help church
workers to be fair
and impartial
Listen
Mark
1.1-8: This is the
story of the Good News about Jesus Christ,
the Son of God. Long ago God
said through the prophet Isaiah.
"I am going to send my messenger before you. He will prepare your
way. A voice cries out in the wilderness: prepare a way for the
Lord". And so it was
that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness,
proclaiming a baptism for the forgiveness of sins. As the people
were baptized by John in the river Jordan,
they confessed their sins. John wore a
garment of camel skin.
Locusts and wild honey were his food. He said to the
people "Someone is coming who is more important than I am. I am not
worthy to kneel down and undo his sandal straps.
I baptize you with water. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit".
Jesus,
please help us prepare a way for you like John the Baptist
Listen
Reflection
on the above readings: Every
Christian is meant to be a John the Baptist ... helping others to know Jesus
---------------------------
The
easing of Covid restrictions in HK has brought Temple Street back to life! The
crowds still lack tourists from China and other places, but the growing number
of feet on the ground is giving fresh hope to the dozens of street stall sellers
who have virtually had no business for the past few months.
------------------------------
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, 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 20th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Sichuan
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 20th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Gambia
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri Feb 19
I
spent most of yesterday at the desk, preparing a mitigation letter for a coming
High Court case, processing a large amount of post-LNY holiday mail from
prisoners, and preparing for a prison visit today.
Over the past few weeks there have been a number of anonymous donations made to MercyHK and to my work for prisoners (especially on Feb 11 & Feb 16). If kind donors would like to contact me I would very much like to thank them personally.
Next hike:
Wednesday Feb 24, to Yim
Tin Tsai Island. Meet at Sai Kung pier, take 10am
ferry to Yim Tin Tsai. Return at leisure. I've never been there, but I believe a
walk around the island takes about 90 minutes. Everyone welcome. No need to
book. Just meet at the pier for the 10am ferry. Photos and more info about the
ferry - here
13kg
of cocaine in ice cream packets from Greece!
This
day a special one for me, since 1973
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Isaiah 3-4: Jerusalem is falling into ruins
because its people do not keep the Lord's way. Jerusalem's leaders mislead the people
and lead the way in doing wrong. But soon the Lord will take action.
He will raise up a people who are good. The Lord will protect these special people.
He will be their refuge and help.
Lord, please help our nation to
avoid evil and do good
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.
Listen
1
Timothy 5.1-14:
Do not speak harshly to a man older than
yourself, but advise him as you would your own father. Treat younger men
as brothers.
Treat older women as you would your mother. Treat
younger women with
propriety, as if they were your sisters. Be considerate to widows. If a widow wishes to
be enrolled as a church worker, she must be at least 60 years old, the
wife of one husband. As regards young widows, it's best if
they re-marry
Jesus, help church workers to be
kind and caring
Listen
Matthew
28.16-20: The 11 apostles went to Galilee,
to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down
before him in worship.
Jesus said to them
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Teach them to understand and live according to my words.
And know that I am with you always, yes, to the end of time".
Jesus, "God-with-us", please help us live our lives according to your teaching
....and thank you, Matthew, for this beautiful Gospel Report
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: The season of Lent (which began two days ago) is a time to slow and remember more often that Jesus,"Emmanuel", is with us, God-with-us!
-------------------------
My
first time to see A-Ming smile!
-------------------------
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 19th
of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shanxi
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 19th of the month, Jesus please bless the
people of Sudan
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu Feb 18
Yesterday
I spent about 6 hours at Lai Chi Kok men's prison. And since the LNY period
lasts for 15 days, the common greeting yesterday to and from staff and prisoners
was "Happy New Year. Good health"! May as many prisoners as possible
be home with the families this time next year!
Next hike:
Wednesday Feb 24, to Yim
Tin Tsai Island. Meet at Sai Kung pier, take 10am
ferry to Yim Tin Tsai. Return at leisure. I've never been there, but I believe a
walk around the island takes about 90 minutes. Everyone welcome. No need to
book. Just meet at the pier for the 10am ferry. Photos and more info about the
ferry - here
Pope
Francis - Fratelli
Tutti:
223.
Saint Paul describes kindness as a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
He uses the Greek word chrestotes,
which describes an attitude that is gentle, pleasant and supportive, not rude or
coarse. Individuals who possess this quality help make other people's
lives more bearable, especially by sharing the weight of their problems, needs
and fears. This way of treating others can take different forms: an act of
kindness, a concern not to offend by word or deed, a readiness to alleviate
their burdens. It involves "speaking words of comfort, strength,
consolation and encouragement" and not "words that demean, sadden,
anger or show scorn"
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Isaiah 2: In the days to come, the mountain of the
Lord's Temple
will be specially blessed. All the nations will come to it and say:
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
that he may teach us his ways
so that we may walk in his paths". When they learn the ways of the Lord,
then the nations will hammer their swords into ploughshares,
their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift sword against nation,
there will be no more training for war. O House of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Lord, please help world leaders
do more for peace in our world
Recording
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
1 Timothy 4.12-16: Do not let people disregard you because you
are young.
Be an example to all the believers in the way you speak and act. You have in you a spiritual gift which was
given you when the church elders prayed over you with the laying on
of hands.
Do not let this gift go unused. Take great care about what you do and what you
teach.
In this way you will save both yourself and those who listen to you
Jesus, help me be a good example to
other people
Listen
Matthew 28.1-15: Jesus died on Friday afternoon.
Early on Sunday morning, two women went to Jesus' tomb. Suddenly there was a violent
earthquake, and an angel from heaven
came and rolled away the big stone at the tomb's entrance.
The guards at the tomb were terrified of the angel. The angel said to the women
"Do not be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus who was
crucified. He is not here. He has risen from the
dead. Go and tell his
disciples he has risen from the dead and will see them in Galilee". The women were filled with joy
and ran to tell this news to the disciples.
As they left the tomb area, Jesus himself appeared to them and said "Do not be afraid. Go and tell the disciples they
must go to Galilee. They will see me there".
Lord Jesus, by your Cross and Resurrection you
have set us free.
You are the Savior of the world.
Listen
Reflection on the above Bible readings: Jesus' Resurrection is the most important event in the history of the world .... which is why we spend 40 days each year (.. Lent ...) preparing for it!
---------------
Thanks to Deacon Edwin Ng (in charge of prison chaplains) I was
able yesterday at Lai Chi Kok men's prison to hand in a favourite present for
prisoners: the annual Bible Claret Daily
Gospel (Chinese edition & English Edtion). Why so popular? Because it's
a calendar! (Calendars are among the most cherished items of people in prison!)
--------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun:
Mon:
Tues:
Wed:
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid:
Sat:
Cent,
Jesus,
today, Thursday,
please bless
the people of
And praying for prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 18th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 8th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Ivory
Coast
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the
week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Feb 17
Ash Wed
This is excellent: Ancient
Rome has warning for us (NY Times)
On
this day in 1826 Pope Leo XII approved the Oblates of Mary Immaculate as an
international organisation. Special
message for today from O.M.I. Superior General Fr Louis Lougen -
here
------------------------------
Chris McDonnell
It's about our future
The sooner our schools re-open for all children, the better
-----------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Ash Wed
Joel
1-4: My
country has been invaded. Joy has disappeared from the land. Priests, put on
sackcloth and lament. Proclaim
a fast to pray for our nation. Turn to the Lord your God again, for he is
all tenderness and compassion. Call out to the Lord for help. "Spare your
people, Lord!" The Lord replies: "I will save and rescue you. I will
pour out my spirit on all peoples. Every one will prophesy and see visions. You
will learn that I am the Lord your God. Jerusalem will be a holy place."
Lord, let our land be filled with knowledge of you and love for you
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
51: Have
mercy on me, God, in your kindness, and cleanse me of my sin. My offences
truly I know them. What is evil in your sight I have done. But in my defence
please don't forget that sinfulness is part of the human condition, part of our
DNA. A pure heart create for me, O God. Put a steadfast spirit within me. Give
me again the joy of your help. With a spirit of fervor sustain me.
Lord, you will not spurn a humbled, contrite heart
Recording
2
Cor 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 the song "How Great Thou Art"
Recording
Matthew
6.1-15: Jesus
said to the crowds: When
you do a good deed, do it for its own sake, not just to get people to
praise you. When you pray, love to pray in private in your heart. Don't be
looking for people to notice and praise you. When
you pray, there's no need to rave on and on. God is not deaf. Prayer is
not a lawyer arguing a case. Prayer is a child speaking with simple trust like
this: Our Father in heaven, may everyone love and honor you. Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as in heaven. Thank you for enough food for today.
Forgive us as we forgive others. Save us in time of trial. Protect us from evil.
Jesus, help me remember that each time I pray "The Our Father", you
are praying with me. "Your Father = my Father = our Father"
Recording
Reflection on the above readings: Bible Claret reflection for Ash Wed
---------------------------
For Ash Wed:
As a mother and her small son went back to their seats after receiving the
ashes, the little boy could be heard saying: "Father very naughty. He put
dirt on my head"!
-------------------------
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, Wednesday,
please bless the people of East
Asia
And praying for
prisoners in one
part of China each day of the month:
On this 17th
of
the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shaanxi
And praying for one of
the world's poorest
countries each day of the month:
On this 17th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Malawi
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday,
please pacify Al-Shabaab
--------------------------------
----------------------
------------------------
On-going project to help homeless people in YMT-Jordan area
========
Africa:
2020: My trip to Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg
2017:
My trip to Southern Africa, Dubai (
The
Last Run)
2016:
My trip to Kenya, Uganda
2015: My trip to Tanzania, Malawi
----------------
Latin America:
2019-05-10: No More Mules Peru FB boost 199,000 views!
2019-01-20: Article in El Pais, Uruguay - 01 02
2018-09-18: No More Mules Facebook campaign - more than 300,000 people reached in Venezuela
2018: My trip to Latin America
----------------
South East Asia:
Aug 16, 2020: CNN - Indonesian women recruited to take drugs to Hong Kong
Oct 23, 2019: FM988 Breakfast program in Kuala Lumpur at which I was a guest
June 2019: My campaign featured in The Malaysia Drug Trade (6 written reports & documentary video)
2019-03-25: Eleven HK01 video and photo reports about Malaysian drug mules arrested in HK- here (one of the reports is about my anti-drug campaign).
Dec 2018 - My Jan 2019 trip to Malaysia
2018: My trip to Thailand and Cambodia
--------------------
Hong Kong:
July 2019: My warning to HK domestic helpers - published here in HK Filipino media
2018-09-22:
My
60 min video interview with Radio99,
in Cantonese, is here: 01 02
to help stop people going to prison
2018-07-29: SCMP- Beware drug lords luring domestic helpers, refugees into narcotics trade
2018-04-08: The Pearl Report on TVB - concerning HK's Long Term Sentencing Review Board and my anti-drug campaign
March 18, 2018: South China Morning Post report on my work
2017-12-01: Report in Chinese in Ming Pao Magazine
2017-09-27: SCMP Spirit of HK Awards (video starts after 20 secs)
2017-08-24: Cable TV video report on my anti-drug campaign and a Facebook report on the video report (click "translation" for English)
2027-05-18: SCMP - The prison chaplain who has stopped 150 drug mules reaching HK
2017-03-25: Oriental
Daily
report of case of South African woman given discount for help to my campaign
*** May
14 updates:
Oriental
Daily, Apple
Daily, Sing
Tao
Dec 1, 2016 - HK News: More women being recruited as drug mules
2016-10-13: HK01 report about campaign and about work for the poor
2016-09-11: Oriental Daily report about my campaign - and same day Editorial
2016-08-27: Oriental Daily article about court case and campaign
My
anti-drug campaign sites
(skillfully
managed by kind HK friends):
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nomasmulas/
Facebook: Chinese no more mules page
((Facebook: AddisAbabaDrugTrade; KenyaDrugTrade; TanzaniaDrugTrade; JohannesburgDrugTrade; SaoPauloDrugTrade; MalaysiaDrugTrade; ThailandDrugTrade; HongKongDrugTrade; CambodiaDrugTrade; IndonesiaDrugTrade)) (blocked by FB Oct 2020)
http://hkdrugblog.org/name-and-shame/index.htm
----------------------
Photos
from my time in China 2001-20008
---------------------
---------------------
Australian Chinese for
Families Association
Gay marriage: Elephant in the room (by John W)
--------------------------------------------
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
|
On revolving map: Left click bottom right silver button Left click country Left click state/province ....till you find your city/town ! |
|
Left click this table of flags for details of hits on this main page
|
This website was launched in construction
mode in Hong Kong on November 20, 2011 - the Feast of Christ
the King.
The official launching
was
held on the Gold Coast, Australia, on January 20,
2012.
Map and Flag Counter began Feb 11, 2012. Previous visits 4,932.
Note: counter on this page + Map & Flag Counter record visits only to this
main/index page.
Visits to other pages and to Facebook page are not
recorded.
This site's 2017
statistics.
Thank you for checking this website each day. God bless all readers and bloggers!
Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡
頌 恆 神 父
jdwomi@gmail.com
HK
mobile +852- 67095674
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ .